Ukraine: Drone attacks on Chornobyl are ‘gambling with the safety of millions of people’

UN Development Programme Administrator Alexander De Croo stated that a drone strike on the protective structure at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant could have endangered millions, emphasizing that nuclear installations must never be targeted. He described such attacks as unacceptable and demanded an end to any ambiguity or excuses regarding the safety of the site. De Croo stressed the need for a formal investigation to determine the origin of the drone, noting that Russian drones reportedly fly over the facility daily.

During his visit to Chornobyl, De Croo also inaugurated a new solar power plant supported by Lithuania and Japan, designed to supply electricity to the cooling systems of Reactor Four. The project, implemented with Ukrainian authorities and UNDP technical expertise, reflects efforts to restore and modernize Ukraine’s energy infrastructure amid ongoing conflict.

UNDP has mobilized $1.3 billion over four years to assist Ukrainians, with energy restoration as its largest focus, providing electricity to 6.6 million people. De Croo highlighted that the goal is not just to rebuild pre-war systems but to create a more sustainable and decentralized energy network less vulnerable to single strikes.

Approximately half of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been damaged by Russian attacks, worsening conditions ahead of winter. De Croo acknowledged the scale of need while noting constant air raid sirens and recent attacks near his location in Kyiv, underscoring the widespread impact of the conflict on civilian life.