Ukraine

Forty years after the Chernobyl disaster, Ukraine is fighting a nuclear-armed adversary that has deliberately turned its energy grid into a battlefield. Russian forces have struck Ukraine’s nuclear-related sites 155 times since the full-scale invasion began [133727]. In the Zaporizhzhia region, a driver was killed in a drone strike near the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) [134132]. Russia, which seized the plant in 2022, has cut power to the facility 15 times, risking a meltdown [134011]. Kyiv launched a €500 million fund to repair the Chernobyl shelter after a Russian drone punched a hole in its protective arch [133730]. The attack came on the anniversary of the disaster, a day when 16 people died in strikes across both countries [133684]. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the country will attend the upcoming NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit in Turkey [133644], and is pushing for EU membership talks to begin in June [134012]. Ukraine is adapting its energy infrastructure to survive. Facing repeated Russian attacks on centralized plants, Kyiv is turning to decentralized solar power [134026]. Meanwhile, the military is fielding an estimated one-third destruction rate against all Russian targets using drone assets [134161], and has secured a first €90 billion EU loan to be spent specifically on drone production [133731]. Ukrainian forces struck three Russian warships in Crimea and hit a key airfield [133732]. A separate strike on a major Russian refinery targeted military fuel supply chains [133733]. In response, Russia and North Korea signed a new long-term defense pact [133739]. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un opened a memorial for soldiers killed in Ukraine [134155] and vowed to help Russia win what he called a “sacred war” [134112]. A Ukrainian boy was reportedly sent to North Korea by Russian authorities [133980]. Moldova, Ukraine’s neighbor and fellow target of Russian destabilization, is feeling the pressure. President Maia Sandu visited Ukraine on the Chernobyl anniversary and warned of nuclear risks [133476], stating that Ukraine shields Moldova from Russian threats [133567]. Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania will form a three-way partnership [133655]. The U.S. warned that Iran is deepening ties with Russia. Iran’s foreign minister visited Moscow for talks on the Iran-U.S. war [134223], and Europe’s energy bill jumped $32 billion due to the Iran conflict [134143]. The Kremlin’s strategy of using energy and nuclear threats as weapons continues to resonate beyond Ukraine’s borders, with Russia warning Germany over a lawmaker’s meeting with a Chechen official [134146]. <a href='/news/133727'>Ukraine’s Nuclear Sites Struck 155 Times as Kyiv Marks Chornobyl Anniversary</a> <a href='/news/134132'>Driver Killed in Drone Strike Near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant, IAEA Warns</a> <a href='/news/134011'>Russia cut power to Europe’s largest nuclear plant 15 times since seizing it in 2022</a> <a href='/news/133730'>Ukraine launches €500m fund to repair Chernobyl shelter after Russian drone strike</a> <a href='/news/133684'>16 Dead as Chernobyl Anniversary Revives Nuclear Fears in Ukraine War</a> <a href='/news/133644'>Zelenskyy confirms Ukraine will attend NATO summit in Turkey</a> <a href='/news/134012'>Ukraine Says It’s Ready for EU Membership Talks—Decision Awaited in June</a> <a href='/news/134026'>Ukraine turns to solar as Russian strikes threaten nuclear plants</a> <a href='/news/134161'>Ukraine drone commander: “We destroy a third of all Russian targets”</a> <a href='/news/133731'>Ukraine to Spend First €90 Billion EU Loan on Drones</a> <a href='/news/133732'>Ukraine Strikes Three Russian Warships in Crimea, Hits Key Airfield</a> <a href='/news/133733'>Ukraine strikes major Russian refinery, targets military fuel supply</a> <a href='/news/133739'>Russia, North Korea sign new long-term defense pact</a> <a href='/news/134155'>Kim Jong Un opens memorial for North Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine</a> <a href='/news/134112'>Kim vows to help Russia win ‘sacred war’ in Ukraine</a> <a href='/news/133980'>Ukrainian boy sent to North Korea by Russia</a> <a href='/news/133476'>Moldova president visits Ukraine on Chernobyl anniversary, warns of nuclear risks</a> <a href='/news/133567'>Ukraine shields Moldova from Russian threat, Sandu says</a> <a href='/news/133655'>Zelenskyy: Ukraine and Moldova to Join Romania in Three-Way Partnership</a> <a href='/news/134223'>Iran’s top diplomat lands in Russia for Putin talks on Iran-US war</a> <a href='/news/134143'>Europe’s Energy Bill Jumps $32 Billion Due to Iran Conflict</a> <a href='/news/134146'>Russia Warns Germany: Lawmaker's Chechen Meeting 'Will Have Consequences'</a>