Russia has been launching drones and missiles on a flight path near the disused Chernobyl nuclear plant during attacks on Ukraine
(Image: Getty Images)
Fears of another major nuclear disaster are growing as Russia launches drones and missiles along a flight path near the disused Chernobyl nuclear plant in northern Ukraine.
Ukraine’s top state prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko explained that the Chernobyl site and western Ukraine’s two-reactor Khmelnytskyi nuclear plant have been on the flight path of Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missiles since the invasion.
Thirty-five Kinzhals have been detected at various distances within around 12 miles of the Chernobyl facility or the Khmelnytskyi plant, he said. Of those, 18 passed within around 20 km of both sites on the same flight, he added.
“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,” Gen Kravchenko told Reuters.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it frequently reported on military activity in the vicinity of nuclear power plants and attacks on electrical substations that are key to nuclear safety.
“IAEA Director General (Rafael) Grossi has repeatedly expressed deep concern about the risks and dangers of these military activities for nuclear safety and security,” the watchdog said.
“The DG has also repeatedly called for maximum restraint near nuclear facilities to avoid the danger of a nuclear accident.”
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