Russian forces attack Chernobyl, ‘ecological disaster’ could be on the cards

Russian forces on Thursday mounted an invasion of Ukraine and the fighting has spread to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky announced via his Twitter account.

“Our defenders are giving their lives so that the tragedy of 1986 will not be repeated,” said Zelensky, adding, “This is a declaration of war against the whole of Europe.”

Also read | Russian invasion of Ukraine an ‘attack on peace’, says Emmanuel Macron

The President’s concerns were also echoed by the Ukrainian foreign ministry, which tweeted, “In 1986, the world saw the biggest technological disaster in Chornobyl. [Russia’s] attack on Ukraine may cause another ecological disaster moving its military forces to Chornobyl. If [Russia] continues the war, Chornobyl can happen again in 2022.”

Also read | Indian embassy in Ukraine asks nationals to head to bomb shelters amid Russian attack

The news about the reported attack on the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant comes after Ukrainian authorities claimed that Russia had mounted attacks across the entirety of Ukraine, and not just in the Donbas region in the east of the country.

In fact, Ukrainian authorities have said that more than 200 attacks were reported across the country since Thursday morning, and dozens have been killed on both sides.

Also read | Former US President Donald Trump praises Vladimir Putin as Russia invades Ukraine

Russia, for its part, has said that it has destroyed at least 74 military installations across Ukraine, including 11 air bases, as it sweeps across Ukraine.

The latest information suggests that fighting has also reached areas surrounding the Ukrainian capital city, Kyiv, with Russian missile strikes killing seven people and injuring more than a dozen.

Kyiv has also reportedly announced a night curfew in light of the situation and has advised citizens to remain indoors to avoid Russian artillery fire.