Russia has dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's claim that a Russian drone struck the Chornobyl nuclear power plant as a staged "provocation" by Kyiv to pressure the West into providing more aid. Zelenskiy stated that the drone caused damage to the radiation containment shelter but reassured that radiation levels remained normal. The incident coincided with key officials convening at the Munich Security Conference to address the Ukraine conflict.

Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, accused Zelenskiy of orchestrating the alleged drone attack during the Munich event to gain Western support in terms of weaponry and funding. She stated, "Zelenskiy never comes to Munich empty-handed... The Kyiv regime always finds distractions as Zelenskiy performs to sway conference participants." Zakharova insisted that the staged event aimed to manipulate public opinion and secure arms deliveries, labeling it a dangerous "provocation" and accusing Kyiv of resorting to "blackmail" using nuclear facilities.