On day 1087 of the war, a drone hit the protective roof of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
During the night, an explosion was heard, followed by a fire, at the new sarcophagus protecting the remains of reactor 4. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that the flames were extinguished, and radiation levels inside and outside remain normal and stable. IAEA continues to monitor the situation.
Russia launched over 130 drones against Ukraine last night, but only two reached their target.
On the diplomatic front, initial discussions for peace have begun. Donald Trump announced that a meeting will take place in Munich on Friday between high-ranking officials from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. However, Kiev does not intend to sit at the table with the Russians.
Even if Ukraine's territorial losses were specified in a peace agreement, this would not equate to their recognition by the United States, stated Keith Kellogg, the special envoy of American President Donald Trump for Ukraine and Russia.
American Vice President JD Vance stated that the US could target Moscow with sanctions and potential military actions if Putin does not agree to a long-term peace agreement with Ukraine, guaranteeing Kiev's independence.
Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba stated that Kiev's negotiating position with Russia is negatively affected by the approach of the new administration in Washington. Ukraine is underestimated but will not give up easily, he said.
And a Ukrainian official and three other sources revealed what Volodymyr Zelensky told Donald Trump in their phone conversation.
Frontline Situation
- Explosion at Chernobyl - A Russian drone hit the protective roof of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, announced Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday morning, calling the attack "a terrorist threat to the entire world," as reported by Kyiv Independent. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that an explosion was heard during the night, followed by a fire at the new sarcophagus protecting the remains of reactor 4, according to Reuters. IAEA stated that fire safety personnel and vehicles responded within minutes, and no casualties were reported. "Radiation levels inside and outside remain normal and stable. IAEA continues to monitor the situation," the agency added. Located 140 km north of Kiev, the Chernobyl plant, where the worst nuclear accident in history occurred in 1986, was briefly occupied by Russian troops at the beginning of the invasion.
- Massive Drone Attack - Russia launched 133 drones against Ukraine last night, but 131 did not hit their target. 73 were shot down in 11 regions, and 58 disappeared from radar, announced the Ukrainian Air Force. Damage was reported in the regions of Kiev, Sumy, Chernihiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv following the attack.
Peace Talks Begin
- USA-Russia-Ukraine Meeting in Munich - Donald Trump announced that a meeting will take place in Munich on Friday between high-ranking officials from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. However, Kiev does not intend to sit at the table with the Russians. Details HERE.
- Kellogg's Paradox - Even if Ukraine's territorial losses were specified in a peace agreement, this would not equate to their recognition by the United States, stated special envoy of American President Donald Trump for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, on Thursday in an interview with Fox News. "I think there will be some agreement about a potential loss of territory. But, look, you don't have to recognize (the loss)," Kellogg said. He also supported the viewpoint of American Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who stated that restoring Ukraine's borders to the 2014 status would be "an unrealistic goal," and that the Trump administration's priority is to end the war as soon as possible.
- Vance Threatens Russia with Sanctions and Military Actions - American Vice President JD Vance stated that the US could hit Moscow with sanctions and potential military actions if Putin does not agree to a peace agreement with Ukraine guaranteeing Kiev's long-term independence. "There are economic instruments of influence, there are, of course, military instruments of influence" that the US could use against Putin, Vance stated in an interview published Thursday by the Wall Street Journal.
- Kuleba Criticizes Trump - Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba stated that Kiev's negotiating position with Russia is negatively affected by the approach of the new administration in Washington. "The statements made by US President Donald Trump and his administration compromise the ultimate goal of negotiations and the solution sought by President Trump," Kuleba stated to the German news agency DPA in Berlin. "Ukraine will not give up easily. The country will be able to defend itself until summer with the weapons currently being delivered and those it produces itself. Believe me, Ukraine has been underestimated and continues to be underestimated. Despite all the problems and difficulties we endure, Trump underestimates Ukraine's capacity and determination to defend itself," concluded the former minister.
- Macron Does Not Want Surrender - Emmanuel Macron warned against a peace that would equate to a "surrender" of Ukraine, in an interview with the Financial Times published on Friday. "A peace that is a surrender is bad news for everyone," he cautioned the American president. "The only question at present is whether President Putin is sincerely, durably, sustainably willing to cease fire on this basis," emphasized the French president. Emmanuel Macron also stressed that "only" Ukraine could "negotiate with Russia" on issues related to its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The French president further insisted that Europeans should be at the negotiating table.
Other Relevant Information
- What Zelensky Told Trump - Volodymyr Zelensky told Trump on the phone that Putin is pretending to want a peace deal. "He is afraid of you," he told the American president, as reported by Axios, citing a Ukrainian official and three other sources. Trump acknowledged that it might be as Zelensky said, but considered Putin serious about peace prospects, according to two sources. "We will know soon," Trump concluded. At the end of the conversation, Trump gave Zelensky his personal mobile phone number and told him he could contact him directly, a source said. Donald Trump had separate calls with Zelensky and Putin on Wednesday, stating afterward that both leaders want to end the war. "Zelensky's message to Trump was 'you have leverage over Putin'," a source familiar with the call told Axios. Other sources describe the over one-hour conversation as positive.
- Trump Proposes Nuclear Agreement with Russia and China - The American president wants to discuss with China and Russia about reducing defense spending by the three powers, while also advocating for Moscow's reintegration into the G7, which would become G8 again. Details HERE.
- Thousands of AI Drones from Germany - Ukraine is set to receive 6,000 AI-powered attack drones HX-2 from the defense technology company Helsing in Munich. The HX-2 is a precision drone with electric propulsion, with a range of up to 100 km, and artificial intelligence helps it withstand jamming, as reported by Kyiv Independent. In November, the German company committed to deliver another 4,000 HF-1 drones.