Russian Drone Strikes Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Near Chernobyl

A Russian drone struck a spent nuclear fuel storage facility near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine early Sunday morning, causing significant damage to a container-receiving building and triggering a fire that was quickly extinguished. The attack occurred around 2:10 AM at the Centralized Spent Fuel Storage Facility, located approximately 15 kilometers from the Chernobyl plant, the site of the world's worst nuclear disaster in 1986. Ukrainian officials reported no injuries and stated that radiation levels remain within normal limits. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike as an "extremely vile" attack, alleging that Russia deliberately targeted critical nuclear infrastructure. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed it was notified of the incident and expressed deep concern. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that the incident is "extremely concerning" since it occurred at a facility containing large quantities of nuclear material stored just meters from the attacked building. The agency announced that its team in Chernobyl will visit the facility to assess the impact. This marks at least the second attack on nuclear facilities near Chernobyl. In February 2025, a Russian drone damaged the containment arch over the reactor destroyed in the 1986 explosion and meltdown. The attack coincides with Zelensky's visit to Downing Street on Sunday, where he met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss support for Ukraine. The timing follows intensive hostilities this week, including Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory and Russia's rejection of Zelensky's proposal for direct peace talks.