Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of engaging in "nuclear terrorism" and warned that military activity near the Chernobyl nuclear plant threatens to repeat history. Speaking on the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, Zelensky highlighted the ongoing risks posed by Russian drone flights over the site.
Zelensky's Warning on Chernobyl Anniversary
"Russia is once again bringing the world to the brink of a man-made disaster – Russian-Iranian Shaheds (drones) regularly fly over the plant, and one of them struck the confinement last year," Zelensky stated. He urged the international community to compel Russia to cease its "reckless attacks" to prevent further nuclear threats. The remarks came as at least 16 people were reported killed in Ukraine and Russian-occupied territories on Sunday.
International Reactions and Military Cooperation
The anniversary also saw North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledging to bolster military support for Russia, following a visit by Moscow's defence minister to Pyongyang for a memorial honouring North Korean soldiers killed in Russia's Kursk region. Russian and North Korean officials agreed to extend military cooperation on a "stable, long-term footing" until 2031.
Commemorations and Ongoing Threats
Sombre ceremonies took place in Kyiv and at the Chernobyl plant, which was briefly occupied early in the war. Zelensky laid a candle alongside the visiting Moldovan president and other officials. He also expressed concern about Russian actions at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station, stating, "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."
