In 1986 the Chernobyl Nuclear plant was the site of the worst nuclear disaster in human history, but future disaster potential remains. Now, Ukrainian President Zelensky says, Russia has used drones to strike the protective shell encasing the plant. Veuer’s Tony Spitz has the details.
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00:00In 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear plant was the site of the worst nuclear disaster in human history.
00:05But future disaster potential remains.
00:08The reactor meltdown site is now encased in a massive tomb of steel and concrete,
00:12often called the sarcophagus, meant to prevent nuclear particles from escaping.
00:17Now Ukrainian President Zelensky says Russia has used drones to strike that very protective shell.
00:22This video was captured the moment the area was struck,
00:25with a sizable explosion occurring on impact.
00:27Authorities say that the drone strike started a fire, one that has since been extinguished.
00:32However, many are concerned this strike weakened the sarcophagus structure.
00:36Zelensky said in a recent press conference, quote,
00:38As of now, radiation levels have not increased and are being constantly monitored,
00:42telling reporters that they do not believe the structure
00:45took any significant damage from the attack.
00:47Russia has since denied involvement, saying it was Ukraine using this as nuclear provocation.
00:52However, Zelensky has fired back at those claims,
00:55saying the only country in the world that attacks such sites,
00:58occupies nuclear power plants and wages war without any regard for the consequences,
01:03is today's Russia.