A Russian Shahed drone has caused significant damage to a building used for storing spent nuclear fuel near the decommissioned Chornobyl nuclear power plant. Ukraine’s president called it a deliberate and “extremely vile” attack.
At the time of the strike, the building—the reception area of the spent fuel storage facility—was empty of containers. Still, targeting such a sensitive site appeared to be a direct message from Moscow, as both sides intensify long-range aerial strikes on high-profile locations.
“As of now, there is no increase in radiation safety limits. But there is clearly an increase in Russia’s already extreme arrogance,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after the attack, which happened around 2 a.m. “It was a critical infrastructure facility. And an extremely vile Russian attack.”
Zelenskyy was scheduled to meet Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Friedrich Merz on Sunday at a summit in London to discuss the ongoing conflict.
Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s foreign minister, posted on X: “This is not the first time Russian forces have put Ukrainian nuclear facilities at risk. Russia’s nuclear blackmail and threats to nuclear safety are systematic, deliberate, and unacceptable.”
The spent fuel storage facility is located about 9 miles from the Chornobyl plant, which was the site of the world’s worst nuclear accident in 1986.
A fire covering about 40 square meters broke out after Sunday’s strike and was put out. No one was injured. Energoatom, the state nuclear power operator, said radiation levels at the site remained within normal limits.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said its experts were preparing to visit the site and noted that although the strike caused significant damage, radiation levels remained within established limits.
The centralized spent nuclear fuel storage facility is designed to provide long-term storage for spent fuel from Ukraine’s nuclear power plants.
On Saturday, a long-range Ukrainian strike targeted the historic naval town of Kronstadt, near St. Petersburg, as the city’s high-profile economic forum was wrapping up.
Russia’s defense ministry said on Sunday its air defenses had shot down 500 Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours, according to the Interfax news agency.
The Kremlin has threatened to step up systematic attacks on key sites, including decision-making centers in Ukraine. Russia has not publicly commented on the attack on the Chornobyl facility.
In February 2025, a Russian attack drone damaged a containment arch over the Chornobyl reactor that was destroyed in the 1986 explosion and meltdown. Russia denied responsibility.
Energoatom said: “The strike on a nuclear infrastructure facility has once again shown the world the true face of the Kremlin regime, which deliberately poses threats to nuclear and radiation safety.”
Kyiv and Moscow have also traded accusations over attacks on the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine, Europe’s largest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the Russian drone strike near the Chornobyl spent nuclear fuel storage facility written in a natural clear tone
BeginnerLevel Questions
Q Did a drone hit the actual nuclear reactor at Chornobyl
A No The drone struck the building that stores spent nuclear fuel rods This is separate from the reactor itself which is covered by the sarcophagus
Q Was there a radiation leak
A As of the latest reports there has been no significant increase in radiation levels The storage building was damaged but the concrete and steel containers holding the fuel appear to have remained intact
Q Is it safe to be near Chornobyl right now
A The immediate area around the strike is being monitored Experts say the risk of a major radiation release is low because the fuel is stored in very strong containers However the site remains a war zone so general safety is not guaranteed
Q Why would Russia attack a nuclear waste site
A This is a major point of concern It could be an accident or a deliberate act of intimidation or sabotage Many experts see it as a dangerous escalation regardless of the reason
Q What exactly is spent nuclear fuel
A Its the uranium fuel that has been used inside a nuclear reactor It is extremely radioactive and very hot which is why its stored in special cooling pools or thick dry concrete casks
IntermediateLevel Questions
Q What type of storage facility was hit Is it the ISF2
A Yes the drone struck the New Safe Confinement structure which covers the old reactor and the spent fuel storage facility ISF2 is a modern dry storage facility where fuel is kept in heavy concrete and steel containers called casks
Q How much damage did the drone cause
A Reports indicate a hole was made in the roof or outer cladding of the storage building The critical partthe actual fuel storage caskswas not breached The fire was quickly contained
Q Could this have caused a China Syndrome or nuclear meltdown
A No A meltdown is a process that happens inside an active reactor core Spent fuel is already
