International

Ukraine says Russian forces near Chernobyl could pose new radiation threat

Published

4 years ago

March 28, 2022

FILE PHOTO: A general view shows the New Safe Confinement structure over the old sarcophagus covering the damaged fourth reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, in Chernobyl

A senior Ukrainian official accused Russia on Sunday of “irresponsible” acts around the occupied Chernobyl power station that could send radiation across much of Europe, and urged the United Nations to dispatch a mission to assess the risks.

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Russian forces were “militarising” the exclusion zone around the station, site of the world’s worst civil nuclear accident in 1986.

Russian forces, she said, were transporting large amounts of old and badly maintained weapons, creating a risk of damaging the containment vessel constructed around the station’s wrecked fourth reactor.

And Russian forces were preventing firefighters from bringing under control large numbers of fires in the zone.

“In the context of nuclear safety, the irresponsible and unprofessional actions of Russian servicemen present a very serious threat not only to Ukraine but to hundreds of millions of Europeans,” Vereshchuk said on her Telegram account.

“We therefore demand that the U.N. Security Council adopt immediate measures to demilitarise the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl station as well as dispatching a special mission to eliminate the risks of any repeat of the Chernobyl accident resulting from the actions of Russian occupying forces,” she said.

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Vereshchuk said damage to the containment vessel, built with European financing, would “inevitably lead to the release in the atmosphere of a considerable amount of radioactive dust and contamination not only in Ukraine but also in other European countries”.

Russia, she said, was “ignoring these risks” by continuing to transport weapons in areas near the station.

Reuters could not immediately verify Vereshchuk’s claims on the ground. Russia has previously denied that its forces have put nuclear facilities inside Ukraine at risk.

The fire and explosion in 1986 in Chernobyl’s fourth reactor sent radiation wafting as far away as Britain and Spain. Thousands of deaths have been linked to the aftermath of the accident and the radiation it released.

All its reactors have now been taken out of service.

Russian forces occupied the Chernobyl station in the first days of the invasion last month and for a time prevented staff maintaining facilities there from leaving or being spelled off by other workers.

The mayor of Slavutych, the town created and built to house the plant’s staff in the aftermath of the 1986 accident, said early on Monday that Russian forces that took over the town at the weekend had now left.

Yuri Fomichev said in an online video post that the troops “hey completed the work they had set out to do” and were gone. He originally said three people had been killed in clashes. [L2N2VV04H]

The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement that it was closely monitoring the situation and expressed concern about the ability of staff to rotate in and out of the station.

Reuters

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Iran Threatens Severe Retaliation After Israel Kills Quds Force Commander

Published

17 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Trends Admin

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

Iran Threatens Severe Retaliation After Israel Kills Quds Force Commander

Israel has announced the killing of a senior Iranian military commander, Asghar Bagheri, in a targeted airstrike in Tehran, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.

According to the Israeli military, the strike—carried out by its air force—eliminated Bagheri, who led the Quds Force special operations unit (Unit 840) since 2019. The military described him as a key figure involved in coordinating attacks against Israeli and American targets worldwide.

The Quds Force, a unit of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), oversees the country’s overseas military and intelligence operations, including support for allied armed groups across the Middle East. Israeli officials said Bagheri had held several influential roles within the unit and was considered a high-value target.

Iran has yet to officially confirm the killing but has issued strong warnings of retaliation. A spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters cautioned that further escalation could have catastrophic consequences.

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The spokesperson warned that if hostilities continue to expand, the “entire region will turn into hell,” adding that attempts to defeat Iran have “turned into a swamp” that would ultimately trap its adversaries.

The development comes amid heightened tensions involving US President Donald Trump, who recently issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to either strike a deal or reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route. Trump warned that failure to comply would result in severe consequences, further intensifying fears of a wider regional conflict.

The crisis follows the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in a missile strike earlier this year—an event that triggered retaliatory attacks by Iran on Israeli and US positions.

Since then, the conflict has escalated into a broader confrontation, disrupting global trade after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a route responsible for transporting about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply.

Security analysts warn that Israel’s continued targeting of senior Iranian commanders, combined with escalating rhetoric from Tehran and Washington, could push the Middle East toward a full-scale war with serious global economic and security implications.

In summary, Israel’s killing of a top Quds Force commander in Tehran has intensified the already volatile Middle East crisis, raising concerns about further retaliation and a possible wider war.

Iran Threatens Severe Retaliation After Israel Kills Quds Force Commander

International

Trump Claims US Sent Weapons to Iranian Protesters but Diverted

Published

17 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Trends Admin

US President Donald Trump

Trump Claims US Sent Weapons to Iranian Protesters but Diverted

US President Donald Trump has revealed that the United States attempted to secretly supply weapons to Iranian protesters, but the operation failed after the arms were allegedly diverted before reaching their intended recipients.

Speaking at a White House Easter event, Trump said the weapons were meant to support Iranian anti-government protesters in defending themselves against authorities amid ongoing unrest. According to him, the US sent “a lot of guns” intended to empower citizens resisting government forces.

However, the plan did not succeed. Trump disclosed that the weapons never reached the protesters, claiming that those entrusted with delivering them withheld the arms. He expressed strong frustration over the outcome, warning that the individuals or group responsible would “pay a big price.”

Although Trump did not publicly name those involved during his remarks, he had earlier indicated that Kurdish intermediaries were responsible for diverting the weapons. He alleged that the arms were routed through Kurdish channels into Iran but were never passed on to the protesters as planned.

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The accusation has been strongly denied by Kurdish groups, who have rejected claims that they intercepted or kept any US-supplied weapons. The conflicting accounts have added a layer of controversy to an already sensitive geopolitical situation.

The disclosure is being widely interpreted as a rare acknowledgment of a covert US effort to influence internal developments in Iran. Analysts warn that such statements could heighten tensions between Washington and Tehran, especially at a time of escalating rhetoric and threats.

The development also lends weight to longstanding claims by Iranian authorities that foreign powers have played a role in fueling domestic protests. With tensions already high, Trump’s remarks could further complicate diplomatic dynamics and deepen mistrust between the two countries.

In summary, Trump’s claim that the US attempted to arm Iranian protesters—but failed due to alleged diversion—has sparked fresh debate over foreign involvement in Iran’s unrest and raised concerns about its broader geopolitical implications.

Trump Claims US Sent Weapons to Iranian Protesters but Diverted

International

Trump threatens ‘hell’ for Iran over Hormuz Strait as deadline approaches

Published

1 day ago

April 6, 2026

Trends Admin

Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei and United States President Donald Trump

Trump threatens ‘hell’ for Iran over Hormuz Strait as deadline approaches

US President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Iran by issuing a profane ultimatum, warning of attacks on Iranian power plants and bridges if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping by a Tuesday deadline. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime passage for nearly a fifth of the world’s oil and gas exports, and its closure has contributed to rising global energy prices.

Trump’s threat followed the successful rescue of a US fighter pilot shot down over Iran, after an intense search in southwestern Iran. Despite the rescue, Trump reaffirmed his ultimatum in posts on his social media platform, Truth Social, saying: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. Open the f‑in’ Strait… or you’ll be living in Hell.” He also indicated that there was a “good chance” a deal could be reached with Tehran, but warned of potential broader military action if diplomacy fails.

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Iran dismissed Trump’s ultimatum as “helpless, nervous, unbalanced, and stupid,” with officials warning that any aggressive action could provoke serious retaliation. Tehran has indicated it will only reopen the Strait once a portion of transit fees compensates for war-related damages. Iranian military officials reiterated that threats to civilian infrastructure would escalate tensions across the region.

The latest warnings extend an ongoing series of US-Iran confrontations. Since the start of the conflict, Iran has fired missiles and drones at Israel and US-allied Gulf nations, while US and Israeli forces have conducted airstrikes on Iranian facilities, including petrochemical plants and the Qasem Soleimani international airport. Civilian infrastructure in the region has sustained significant damage, with injuries reported in Israel and fires at facilities in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait caused by Iranian drone attacks.

Trump has repeatedly extended deadlines for reopening the strait, reflecting both escalating tensions and ongoing negotiations. Analysts warn that further aggression could destabilize the Middle East, disrupt global energy markets, and intensify the humanitarian crisis across affected regions.

The situation remains fluid, with global attention focused on Tehran’s response, US military positioning, and the broader implications for international security and oil markets.