Ukraine's state-run nuclear energy operator Energoatom on Sunday, 7 June accused Russia of striking a spent nuclear fuel storage facility located approximately 15 km from the decommissioned Chornobyl power plant — the site of the worst nuclear disaster in recorded history. The alleged drone attack has drawn international attention amid an already volatile phase of the conflict.

What Happened at the Site

According to Energoatom, the strike occurred at approximately 2:10 am on Saturday, with a drone partially destroying the facility's container-receiving building. The agency confirmed that no spent nuclear fuel was stored in the damaged structure at the time of the attack.

A fire covering roughly 40 square metres broke out but was promptly contained and fully extinguished. No casualties among site personnel were reported, and as of Sunday morning, radiation levels at the facility remained within normal limits.

Russia Has Not Responded

As of Sunday, Russia had not issued any statement acknowledging or denying the alleged attack on the Chornobyl-area facility. The absence of a response from Moscow is notable given the sensitivity of nuclear infrastructure strikes under international law and the terms of the ongoing conflict.

Ukrainian Drone Strike on Russian Region

In a parallel development on Saturday, Russian air defence forces reportedly shot down 144 Ukrainian drones over the Leningrad region during an aerial assault, according to regional Governor Alexander Drozdenko, who posted the update on social media. Drozdenko said no major structural damage was recorded, though falling debris caused minor damage to residential buildings across several districts.

A fire broke out at a Russian Defence Ministry facility in the Lomonosovsky district as a result of the attack. Four local residents required medical assistance; one person was hospitalised while three others, including a child, received on-site treatment. More than 600 people were evacuated from the security perimeter around the facility, according to regional authorities. The fire was subsequently extinguished and emergency recovery work completed.

Timing and Strategic Context

The drone assault on the Leningrad region marked the second major aerial attack on St. Petersburg and surrounding areas since the opening of this year's St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which concluded on Saturday. The back-to-back strikes signal an escalation in the geographic reach of Ukrainian drone operations, extending well beyond the front lines in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Notably, the Chornobyl facility targeted is distinct from the reactor complex itself but sits within the broader exclusion zone that remains one of the most radiologically sensitive areas in Europe. Any damage to nuclear waste infrastructure in the region carries inherent long-term risk, even when immediate radiation readings are normal.

What Happens Next

International nuclear watchdog IAEA has previously flagged concerns over the safety of nuclear infrastructure in active conflict zones. Whether this incident prompts a formal IAEA inspection or statement remains to be seen. Ukraine is expected to raise the matter at international forums as part of its broader effort to document alleged Russian attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure.