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Drone Strike Forces €500M Chernobyl Repair, Zelensky Calls Terrorism

4/26/2026

45 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

IAEA director Rafael Grossi said the February 2025 drone strike on Chernobyl’s New Safe Confinement needs immediate repair, costing at least €500 million.
Greenpeace warned the strike likely shortened the confinement’s 100-year lifespan and will require tens of millions of euros in extra repairs.
President Volodymyr Zelensky called the attacks near Chernobyl “nuclear terrorism” and urged the world to force Russia to stop them.

History

Historical Context

On 26 April 1986 the Soviet-run Chernobyl plant exploded, prompting the 1997 international Chernobyl Shelter Fund, which gathered €864 million and led to the New Safe Confinement completed in November 2016. In February 2025 a Russian drone struck the NSC; IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed loss of its primary safety function, reviving fears of the original disaster’s legacy.

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Story summary

IAEA director Rafael Grossi said the February 2025 drone strike on Chernobyl’s New Safe Confinement needs immediate repair, costing at least €500 million.
Greenpeace warned the strike likely shortened the confinement’s 100-year lifespan and will require tens of millions of euros in extra repairs.
President Volodymyr Zelensky called the attacks near Chernobyl “nuclear terrorism” and urged the world to force Russia to stop them.

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