Strike on nuclear storage facility near Chernobyl: IAEA reports serious damage
This was reported by the IAEA. The SBU has classified the Russian attack on the nuclear fuel storage facility as a war crime.
Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency conducted a detailed inspection of the Centralised Spent Fuel Storage Facility near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant following the attack by a Russian drone.
According to the IAEA’s findings, the strike caused significant damage to part of the fuel reception building. The IAEA safeguards inspection office, located at this facility, was also damaged.
What exactly was damaged
Experts reported damage to the building’s façade, walls and staircases.
Debris, including glass, bricks and other building rubble, was found on the site following the strike.
At the same time, radiation levels at the site remained within normal limits. The IAEA noted that this indicates the absence of radioactive contamination.
Where was the fuel
At the time of the attack, spent nuclear fuel was stored in containers located several hundred metres from the damaged building.
The containers closest to the point of impact remained empty.
It is currently unknown when the facility will be able to receive spent fuel from Ukrainian nuclear power stations again.
Grossi called the strike “playing with fire”
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that the attack on a facility storing large quantities of nuclear material is “playing with fire”.
He emphasised that such attacks must not occur, as they pose serious risks to nuclear safety. The IAEA will continue to investigate the incident.
What the SBU has established
The Security Service of Ukraine has classified the strike on the nuclear fuel storage facility near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant as a war crime.
According to the SBU, Russian troops attacked the facility with a “Geran-2” type drone at 02:05 on 7 June. Parts of the drone have already been found at the site of the strike.
According to law enforcement officials, the explosion damaged the building used for receiving and reloading spent nuclear fuel, as well as the IAEA administrative building.
The SBU has opened criminal proceedings under Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – violation of the laws and customs of war.
As reported by “Energoatom”
Energoatom stated that a Russian UAV struck the site of the Centralised Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on the night of 6 June.
A fire broke out following the strike, which was quickly brought under control. No staff were injured, and radiation levels remained within normal limits.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga called on the international community to respond to Russia’s strike on the nuclear facility.
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