Kyiv: Ukraine on Sunday urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to take immediate action after accusing Russia of carrying out an overnight drone attack on a nuclear storage facility in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Smyhal reported that a Russian drone struck one of the buildings at Ukraine’s Centralized Spent Fuel Storage Facility, resulting in a fire that was later extinguished. The attack caused partial damage to the structure, which Smyhal emphasized posed an ‘unprecedented threat to nuclear and radiation safety.’

According to Anadolu Agency, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of deliberately targeting the nuclear infrastructure facility. Despite no readings exceeding normal background radiation levels, Zelenskyy noted an increase in Russia’s brazenness. He also reported that Russian forces attacked civilian infrastructure in 13 regions across Ukraine, with over 88 missiles, more than 3,250 attack drones, and approximately 1,800 guided aerial bombs launched against Ukraine over the past week.

In response, the IAEA stated on US social media platform X that its team at the Chernobyl site would soon inspect the facility to assess the impact of the attack. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi described the incident as ‘deeply concerning,’ emphasizing that attacks on nuclear sites are entirely unacceptable and contravene key nuclear safety principles. Russia did not immediately respond to Ukraine’s allegations regarding the attack on the spent fuel storage facility.