Ukraine on Sunday marked the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster under the shadow of Russia’s ongoing war, with concerns growing that the conflict could trigger another major nuclear catastrophe.
The Chornobyl disaster, considered the world’s worst nuclear accident, released radioactive material across much of Europe in 1986 while Soviet authorities initially tried to conceal the true scale of the tragedy. The explosion caused thousands of deaths and severe environmental damage.
The anniversary carries added significance as Ukraine warns that Russia’s invasion has increased nuclear risks. Kyiv says Moscow has repeatedly launched missiles and drones near the Chornobyl site while targeting Ukrainian cities, and a drone strike in February 2025 damaged a key protective shield at the plant.
Russian forces also continue to occupy the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southeastern Ukraine. Ukraine’s state atomic agency said the facility experienced its 15th temporary blackout since Russian troops took control in March 2022.
Foreign officials, including the EU energy commissioner, visited Kyiv on Sunday to join the commemoration and announce further support for Ukraine’s energy system, which remains under frequent Russian air strikes.
Ceremonies were held both in Kyiv and at the Chornobyl plant, where President Volodymyr Zelenskiy placed a candle alongside Moldova’s president and other officials.
“Right now, the risks are no less great because of what Russia is doing with our Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station, and in general with our energy and our land,” Zelenskiy told reporters in Kyiv.
The drone strike in February 2025 punctured a large protective arc installed in 2016 over part of the Chornobyl site to shield the original sarcophagus built in 1986 over radioactive debris. Although no radiation leaks were detected and temporary repairs were made, officials say the structure now requires at least 500 million euros in major repairs to prevent lasting damage.
