Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Condemns Russian Attack on Nuclear Facility

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned a recent Russian attack on a nuclear fuel storage facility near Chernobyl, labeling it an 'extremely vile' act. The strike caused significant damage but did not result in any radiation spikes or injuries. Zelenskyy reported that Russia has intensified its military actions, launching numerous missiles and drones against Ukraine. He called for increased global pressure on Russia to address its aggressive behavior. The International Atomic Energy Agency plans to inspect the site to assess the impact of the attack. This incident raises concerns about the safety of nuclear facilities amid ongoing conflict.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 7, 2026, 17:45 IST

Russian Forces Target Nuclear Fuel Storage Near Chernobyl

On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian forces of intentionally attacking a storage site for spent nuclear fuel located near Ukraine's Chernobyl power plant. In a statement shared on the social media platform X, he described the assault as an "extremely vile" act. The strike caused significant damage to a building designated for fuel reception, situated just meters from where substantial quantities of nuclear material are kept, as reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has been informed by Ukrainian officials. Fortunately, no radiation spikes have been detected.

"Today, Russian forces again targeted the special area surrounding the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. A 'shahed' drone struck one of the structures at the Centralized Spent Fuel Storage Facility. This is a critical infrastructure site, and this attack is exceptionally vile," Zelenskyy stated on X. He emphasized that Russia's actions were a deliberate assault on nuclear infrastructure. Currently, radiation levels remain within normal background ranges, but he noted an alarming increase in Russia's audacity. Ukrainian emergency services managed to extinguish the fire caused by the strike, and Zelenskyy called for global action to ensure that Russia feels the repercussions of its aggressive actions.

Additionally, the Ukrainian leader reported that Russian strikes have targeted civilian facilities across 13 regions. Over the past week, Russia has launched 88 missiles, deployed more than 3,250 attack drones, and dropped approximately 1,800 guided aerial bombs on Ukraine. He urged for heightened pressure on Russia and expressed gratitude to those supporting Ukraine.

No Injuries Reported

According to Kyiv's state atomic agency, Energoatom, there was no spent fuel in the building at the time of the attack. The fire that ensued was quickly extinguished, and no injuries were reported. Russia has yet to comment on the alleged attack on the facility, which is situated approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Chernobyl site, known for the catastrophic nuclear disaster in 1986. The IAEA announced that a team would soon visit the location to assess the damage. In February 2025, a Russian Shahed drone had previously damaged a containment arch over the Chernobyl reactor, which was destroyed during the 1986 incident, a responsibility Moscow denied. Both Kyiv and Moscow have exchanged accusations regarding attacks on the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe.