Fears Rise Over Radiation Levels After Russian Explosive Drone Hits Nuclear Fuel Storage Site Near Chernobyl

The Ukrainian government announced today (Sunday) that experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency are on their way to a storage facility for spent nuclear fuel, located near the abandoned nuclear power plant in Chernobyl.

The reason: a Russian explosive drone struck the reception building of the spent fuel storage facility last night. The concern is that radiation levels in the area may rise. The spent fuel storage facility is located about 14 kilometers from the power plant in Chernobyl, which in 1986 was the site of the world’s worst nuclear accident.

Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, wrote on X: "This is not the first time that Russian forces have endangered Ukrainian nuclear facilities. Russia’s nuclear blackmail and threats to nuclear safety are systematic, deliberate, and unacceptable."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought to calm concerns and released a statement: "As of now, there is no increase in radiation safety restrictions. But there is clearly an increase in Russian audacity, which is already enormous. This was critical infrastructure, and an utterly despicable Russian attack."

It should be noted that Zelensky met today in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss the ongoing conflict.