Sunday’s 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster was marked not by solemn reflection alone, but by fresh violence. Strikes across Ukraine, Russian-occupied territory, and Russia over the past day killed at least 16 people, according to authorities. The grim toll prompted renewed warnings about the risks posed by military operations near the Chernobyl plant, which remains in the conflict zone more than three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Meanwhile, Germany announced a historic military plan aimed at transforming its armed forces into the strongest in Europe — a direct response to the threat posed by Russia. The move signals a continued and deepening shift in European defense posture driven by the ongoing war in Ukraine.
