The February 14, 2025 Russian drone attack severely damaged critical systems in Chornobyl's New Safe Confinement, compromising its ability to contain radioactive material and dismantle the original sarcophagus over Reactor Four.

An ongoing armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine that was sparked with Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and escalated into a full-scale invasion in February 2022, resulting in widespread casualties, displacement and significant geopolitical consequences for Europe and the world.