Ukraine-Russia battle newest: Chernobyl nuclear plant hit by high-explosive drone inflicting ‘significant damage’

On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, we understand US vice president JD Vance is meeting Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky at 5pm.

Before that, Mr Vance told reporters this morning that the US could hit Moscow with sanctions and possible military action if Putin did not agree to a peace deal with Ukraine that guarantees Kyiv’s long-term independence.

“There are economic tools of leverage, there are of course military tools of leverage” the U.S. could use against Putin, Vance said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

“There are any number of formulations, of configurations, but we do care about Ukraine having sovereign independence.”

As we’ve already reported, the Ukrainian military said Russia launched 133 drones against the country overnight.

The air force said it shot down 73 drones and 58 others did not reach their targets, likely due to electronic countermeasures.

Now we’re hearing that port infrastructure in Ukraine’s Odesa region was damaged in the wave of attacks.

Regional governor Oleh Kiper said no-one was wounded in the attack on Odesa district, which also damaged an inactive resort site, causing fires.

Odesa region is a central hub for Ukraine’s Black Sea exports and its port facilities have been regularly attacked by long-range strikes throughout the war

President Donald Trump says he wants to permit Russia to rejoin G7.

“I’d love to have them back, I think it was a mistake to throw them out,” said Mr Trump, who blamed then-president Barack Obama for the collective decision by the world’s largest industrialized economies to exclude Russia from the group.

The American president made the declaration in the Oval Office during a marathon question-and-answer session with reporters.

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This week, we’ve reported how the US said Nato membership for Ukraine was not a realistic prospect.

That goes against Nato’s official position that Kyiv is on an “irreversible” path to joining the alliance.

Such a stance was last month endorsed by Sir Keir Starmer’s UK/Ukraine 100-year partnership.

And today, a Downing Street spokeswoman maintained that position. She said: “The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this morning.

“The Prime Minister began by reiterating the UK’s concrete support for Ukraine, for as long as it’s needed. He was unequivocal that there could be no talks about Ukraine, without Ukraine.

She added: “The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to Ukraine being on an irreversible path to NATO, as agreed by Allies at the Washington Summit last year.

“Discussing the upcoming third anniversary of Ukraine’s courageous defence of its sovereignty in the face of Russia’s barbaric full-scale invasion, the leaders agreed that it would be an important moment to demonstrate international unity and support for Ukraine.”

Sir Keir Starmer has told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that there can be no peace talks in the Ukraine-Russia conflict without Ukraine’s involvement.

Trump has said he plans to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin for talks to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Although he had initially appeared non-committal about involving Ukraine in talks about its future, Mr Trump said yesterday that it would have a seat at the table.

At the Munich Security Conference today, UK foreign secretary David Lammy will be among the G7 allies, with Ukraine likely to dominate the agenda.

“(Starmer) was unequivocal that there could be no talks about Ukraine, without Ukraine,” a readout of a call between Sir Keir and Mr Zelensky issued by Starmer’s office said.

“Ukraine needed strong security guarantees, further lethal aid and a sovereign future, and it could count on the UK to step up, he added,” the readout said.

Following the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Kyiv has accused Russia of a drone attack, and has shared images of, what it says, is the burnt-out drone engine inside the wreckage.

Posting on X, Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, explaining that the shelter for the reactor was there to protect humanity.

He said: “The only country in the world that attacks such sites, occupies nuclear power plants, and wages war without any regard for the consequences is today’s Russia. This is a terrorist threat to the entire world.”

As world leaders enter the Munich Security Conference, the main topic of conversation is Donald Trump’s efforts to strike a negotiated settlement in the Ukraine war.

Mr Trump said he had invited Ukraine to three-way peace talks with Russia and the US today.

As he arrived at the council, vice president JD Vance told reporters he had plans to discuss conflict and how to bring it to a negotiated settlement.

He added that the US wanted to make sure that NATO was built for the future.

This morning, Ukrainian’s president Volodymyr Zelensky issued a statement on X on an explosion at Chernobyl, blaming it on a Russian drone attack.

Here’s what we know so far:

The explosion took place in the protective shell over reactor four at the nuclear power plant.

It resulted in a fire that was quickly extinguished.

The explosion too place at 1.50am local time.

Built in 2016, the protective shell is designed to limit the release of radioactivity left in the reactor to the atmosphere.

Mr Zelensky said the explosion was caused by a high-explosive warhead on a Russian drone.

Russian officials made no immediate comment, and it was not possible to independently confirm Ukraine’s claim of Russian responsibility.

Following news of the explosion at Chernobyl this morning, we’re now getting images from Ukraine’s State Emergency Service of the damage and apparent remains of a Russian drone.

Ukraine say the drone hit the protective confinement shell of a reactor. Radiation levels have not increased, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky and the UN atomic agency said.

As we’ve been reporting, there was an explosion at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant site last night.

It happened in the shelter that protects the remains of reactor 4 at the plant, which is in the process of being decommissioned.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) posted on X: “They [the IAEA team at the site] were informed that a UAV had struck the NSC roof.

“Fire safety personnel and vehicles responded within minutes. At this moment, there is no indication of a breach in the inner containment.

“Radiation levels inside and outside remain normal and stable. No casualties reported. IAEA continues monitoring the situation.”