Ukraine’s state-run nuclear energy operator, Energoatom, has accused Russia of attacking its spent nuclear fuel storage facility near the disused Chornobyl power plant. The attack, which occurred around 2:10 a.m. on Saturday, partially destroyed the facility’s container-receiving building. Fortunately, no spent nuclear fuel was stored in the damaged structure, and a fire covering about 40 square meters was swiftly contained with no casualties reported.
As of Sunday morning, radiation levels at the facility site remain normal. The facility is located approximately 15 km from the Chornobyl plant, infamous for one of the worst nuclear disasters in history. Russia has not responded to the alleged attack on the facility.
In a separate incident, Russian air defense forces shot down 144 Ukrainian drones over the Leningrad region during an aerial attack, according to Regional Governor Alexander Drozdenko. While no major damage was reported, falling drone debris caused minor damage to residential buildings in several districts. A fire also broke out at a Russian Defense Ministry facility in the Lomonosovsky district due to the attack, resulting in medical assistance for four local residents.
Four individuals, including a child, received treatment, with one person hospitalized. Over 600 people were evacuated from the security zone around the facility, and emergency recovery work has been completed. This attack marks the second major drone assault on St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region this year, coinciding with the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
