A Russian drone struck a spent nuclear fuel reception facility near the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant on June 7, igniting a 430-square-foot fire that was quickly contained by Ukrainian emergency crews. No spent nuclear fuel was stored in the building at the time, and radiation levels remained stable, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). No injuries were reported.
The drone, identified as a Shahed/Geran-2, has been used by Russia throughout the conflict in Ukraine. Previous strikes, such as an attack on the New Safe Confinement structure in February 2025, have raised concerns about the safety of nuclear sites amidst ongoing hostilities. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the recent attack, prompting coordinated efforts from Energoatom and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
Chornobyl has been a point of contention since Russia's invasion, with the IAEA urging caution around Ukrainian nuclear facilities. The low-cost, imprecise Shahed drones pose significant risks when targeting proximity to nuclear infrastructures.