Ukraine Warns Russian Missiles Flying Near Chernobyl Risk Nuclear Catastrophe
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Nuclear Security & Geopolitics
Ukrainian Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko has issued an urgent warning that Russian missiles are repeatedly flying on flight paths dangerously close to the decommissioned Chornobyl nuclear plant, elevating the risk of a major radiological accident. The revelation comes as Ukraine prepares to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1986 Chornobyl disaster on April 26 .
“Such launches cannot be explained by any military considerations. It is evident that the flights over the nuclear facilities are carried out solely for the purpose of intimidation and terror.” — Ruslan Kravchenko, Prosecutor General of Ukraine
Missiles Within 20 km of Nuclear Sites
According to Kravchenko’s written remarks to Reuters, both the Chornobyl site and western Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant have been on the flight path of Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missiles since the full-scale invasion began .
Key data on Russian missile activity near nuclear facilities:
| Indicator | Number |
|---|---|
| Kinzhal missiles detected within ~20 km of Chornobyl or Khmelnytskyi | 35 |
| Missiles that passed within ~20 km of both sites on the same flight | 18 |
| Kinzhals that fell to the ground within ~10 km of Khmelnytskyi plant | 3 |
| Russian drones detected within a 5-km radius of Chornobyl’s radiation shield | 92+ (since July 2024) |
The Kinzhal is an air-launched hypersonic missile capable of carrying a 500 kg warhead. Traveling at 6,500 km per hour, it covers 5 km in a matter of seconds . In three separate cases, Kravchenko said Kinzhal missiles crashed to the ground within approximately 10 km of the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant. The wreckage bore no indications that they had been intercepted .
The actual number of fly-bys, Kravchenko said, is almost certainly much higher than 92, because radar tracks can denote more than one drone and sometimes drones do not show up at all .
Existing Damage: A Hole in the Containment Shield
The threat is compounded by existing damage to the Chornobyl site’s protective infrastructure. In February 2025, a Russian attack drone struck the New Safe Confinement (NSC)—the massive steel arch built to contain the crumbling sarcophagus over the destroyed Reactor No. 4 .
Damage from the February 2025 drone strike:
| Damage Type | Extent |
|---|---|
| Hole in containment shield | ~15 square meters |
| Total area of damage | ~200 square meters (shrapnel penetration) |
| Critical structures | Damaged and deformed |
| Humidity control | Lost ability to monitor internal conditions |
The protective functions of the NSC have not been fully restored following the attack, according to a Greenpeace report released April 14, 2026 . The structure has lost its tightness and can no longer maintain the required humidity level below 40%, increasing the risk of metal corrosion .
Risk of Sarcophagus Collapse
The NSC was designed to contain the radioactive ruins of Reactor No. 4 for 100 years while allowing for the eventual dismantling of the unstable sarcophagus beneath it. However, the damage to the NSC has made it impossible to proceed with dismantling the sarcophagus, which is now at increased risk of collapse .
“If the [concrete] shelter collapses, a radioactive cloud will rise. As 1986 taught us, radiation does not recognize borders. The wind will carry these radioactive transuranic elements across Europe again.” — Serhii Tarakanov, Director of the Chornobyl Plant
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has estimated it will cost at least €500 million ($588 million) to repair the damage. Without such work, “irreversible corrosion” of the structure will begin within four years .
Russia’s Response: Denial and Contradiction
The Kremlin has denied targeting Ukrainian nuclear infrastructure. When asked about the reported drone strike on Chornobyl in February 2025, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “There is no question of any strikes on such nuclear infrastructure sites,” though he admitted he did not have “exact information” regarding the incident .
Kyiv’s investigation concluded the drone attack was likely deliberate, based on the steep angle of the strike. In their terminal phase, one-way attack drones carrying explosives typically dive toward their target and accelerate until impact .
‘Conducting a Nuclear War Against Europe’
Ukrainian and international experts have characterized Russia’s military activity near Chornobyl as a form of nuclear terrorism.
“Russia is still conducting effectively a nuclear war against the people of Ukraine and Europe.” — Shaun Burnie, Senior Nuclear Specialist, Greenpeace Ukraine
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly expressed “deep concern” about military activities in the vicinity of nuclear power plants. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has “repeatedly called for maximum restraint near nuclear facilities to avoid the danger of a nuclear accident” .
The 40th Anniversary Context
The warning comes just days before the 40th anniversary of the April 26, 1986, Chornobyl disaster—the world’s worst nuclear accident. The explosion and fire at Reactor No. 4 sent radioactive clouds across Europe, forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people, and left a legacy of contamination that persists to this day .
The plant’s last working reactor was closed in 2000, but the site remains hazardous. Inside the NSC are “tons of highly radioactive nuclear fuel, dust and debris,” according to Eric Schmieman, the lead engineer who helped design the containment structure .
The Threat Multiplier: War Conditions
The ongoing war has made it nearly impossible to conduct the major engineering works needed to repair the NSC and dismantle the sarcophagus. The Chornobyl plant is under constant threat from Russian missiles and drones, including loss of essential electrical power .
“It’s almost impossible for people to grasp the magnitude of the lethal conditions inside the Sarcophagus. My colleagues and I spent years investigating inside the ruins of Chornobyl reactor 4. We designed and built the New Safe Confinement to protect the environment and people of Ukraine and Europe. It is urgent that all measures are taken to find a way to restore as much of the critical functions of the facility as possible.” — Eric Schmieman, Lead Engineer, NSC Design
Ukraine has received €30 million in international funding to begin restoration work, but the repair timeline—estimated at four years—is threatened by the continuing war .
What Comes Next
As the 40th anniversary approaches, Ukraine is calling on the international community to pressure Russia to cease military activity near nuclear facilities and to provide the resources needed for urgent repairs.
| Requirement | Status |
|---|---|
| NSC repairs | €500 million needed; timeline threatened by war |
| International pressure on Russia | Ongoing IAEA appeals |
| Protection of nuclear sites | Ukraine requests additional air defense |
| Sarcophagus dismantling | Halted until NSC is repaired |
The warning from Ukraine’s top prosecutor is clear: continued Russian military activity near Chornobyl risks a radiological catastrophe that would not be contained by Ukraine’s borders. As the head of the Chornobyl plant warned, “radiation does not recognize borders” .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How close are Russian missiles flying to the Chornobyl plant?
Prosecutor General Kravchenko reported that 35 Kinzhal missiles have been detected within approximately 20 km (12 miles) of the Chornobyl facility or the Khmelnytskyi nuclear plant. At least 92 drones have flown within a 5-km radius of the Chornobyl radiation shield since July 2024 .
2. Has the Chornobyl containment structure already been damaged?
Yes. A Russian drone strike in February 2025 pierced the New Safe Confinement, creating a hole of approximately 15 square meters and causing shrapnel damage totaling about 200 square meters. The protective functions of the structure have not been fully restored .
3. What would happen if the sarcophagus collapsed?
If the concrete sarcophagus containing the radioactive ruins of Reactor No. 4 collapses, it would release a cloud of radioactive dust and debris. As the Chornobyl plant director warned, “radiation does not recognize borders,” and the wind could carry radioactive particles across Europe .
4. Why are Russian missiles flying near nuclear plants?
Ukraine’s prosecutor general stated that “such launches cannot be explained by any military considerations” and that the flights are “carried out solely for the purpose of intimidation and terror.” Russian forces may also be using Chornobyl as an attack route to bypass Ukrainian air defenses .
5. Has Russia responded to these accusations?
The Kremlin has denied targeting Ukrainian nuclear infrastructure. However, when asked about the Chornobyl drone strike, spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted he did not have “exact information” about the incident .
6. What is being done to repair the damage?
Ukraine has received €30 million in international funding to begin restoration work. However, the four-year repair timeline is threatened by the ongoing war, and the Chornobyl plant remains under constant threat from Russian missiles and drones .
7. What is the position of the IAEA?
The International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly expressed “deep concern” about military activities near nuclear power plants. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has called for “maximum restraint near nuclear facilities to avoid the danger of a nuclear accident” .
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