Russian drone hits nuclear storage site in Ukraine

Ukraine’s state nuclear operator, Energoatom, accused Russia of nuclear terrorism after a drone strike at Chernobyl’s radioactive fuel storage facility early on June 7. The attack occurred around 2am, causing a fire that spread quickly but was extinguished. Radiation levels were later reported as within normal limits, though the strike damaged the container reception area, which does not store spent nuclear fuel. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) described the incident as deeply concerning due to the large amounts of nuclear material at the facility. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi stated the agency would visit the site soon. In a statement, Energoatom called Russia’s actions a deliberate threat to nuclear safety, warning that the Kremlin regime disregards international law and risks endangering millions. This is the second major attack on Chernobyl since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In February 2023, a Russian drone strike damaged the main shield over the 1986 disaster site, compromising its safety functions, though no irreversible damage was found. The IAEA has repeatedly warned both sides to avoid strikes near nuclear infrastructure to prevent catastrophic risks. Chernobyl, once part of the Soviet Union, remains a highly sensitive location due to its history as the site of the world’s worst civilian nuclear disaster in 1986. The facility’s exclusion zone has been a flashpoint in the ongoing war, with repeated warnings from global nuclear safety authorities about the dangers of escalation.