Kyiv: Ukrainian authorities have reported that a drone strike targeted a nuclear fuel storage facility located within the Chernobyl exclusion zone, raising fresh concerns about the safety of nuclear infrastructure amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. According to Ukraine’s General Staff, a Russian-made Shahed drone struck a building associated with the centralized spent fuel storage facility, causing damage and triggering a small fire. Emergency teams quickly brought the blaze under control, and officials stated that no immediate radiation threat had been detected following the incident.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that it had been informed of the attack and announced that its experts would inspect the site to assess the extent of the damage. The facility stores spent nuclear fuel from several of Ukraine’s operational nuclear power plants and plays a crucial role in the country’s nuclear energy infrastructure. Ukrainian authorities said the strike damaged the fuel reception building, including its facade, windows and doors, while nearby structures were also affected by the blast wave. Despite the damage, officials from Ukraine’s nuclear operator Energoatom stated that radiation levels remain within normal limits.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly condemned the incident, describing the attack as a serious threat to nuclear safety and accusing Russia of escalating risks around critical infrastructure. The reported strike comes just days after another dispute involving the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, where both sides exchanged accusations over a separate drone attack. International observers continue to express concern about military activities near nuclear facilities, warning that any damage to such sites could have far-reaching consequences for regional and global security. As investigations continue, the IAEA is expected to provide a detailed assessment following its inspection of the affected facility.