President Zelensky has accused Russia of ‘nuclear terrorism’ on the anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, drawing attention to ongoing risks around nuclear facilities during the conflict. In remarks marking the commemoration, he argued that Russia’s military actions near active and decommissioned nuclear sites endanger not only Ukraine but also wider European security. He referenced operations around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, stating that shelling, occupation, and disruption of safety protocols amount to reckless conduct with potentially catastrophic consequences.
Zelensky said that the anniversary serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of nuclear catastrophe and warned that similar dangers could arise if international safeguards are ignored. He called on global institutions and partner nations to increase pressure on Moscow to demilitarize zones around nuclear infrastructure and to restore full oversight to Ukrainian and international experts. The accusation of nuclear terrorism frames the issue as one that goes beyond conventional warfare, positioning it as a threat to civilian populations and the environment across borders.
The statement was part of a broader appeal for stronger monitoring mechanisms, accountability for actions that compromise nuclear safety, and continued support to secure vulnerable sites. Zelensky emphasized that the lessons of Chernobyl should reinforce the urgency of preventing any repeat of nuclear disaster, intentional or otherwise, and urged the international community to treat threats to nuclear facilities as a red line in the conflict.
