Ukraine accuses Russia of attacking Chornobyl nuclear waste storage site
Kyiv, June 7
Ukraine's state-run nuclear energy operator Energoatom on Sunday accused Russia of attacking its spent nuclear fuel storage facility near the disused Chornobyl power plant.
According to Energoatom, a drone strike occurred at around 2:10 a.m. on Saturday, partially destroying the facility's container-receiving building.
The agency said that no spent nuclear fuel was stored in the damaged structure, Xinhua news agency reported.
A fire covering an area of about 40 square metres was promptly contained and fully extinguished. No casualties among personnel were reported.
As of Sunday morning, radiation levels at the facility site remain within normal limits.
Russia has not responded to the alleged attack on the facility, which is located around 15 km from the Chornobyl plant, the site of one of the worst nuclear disasters in human history.
On Saturday, Russian air defence forces shot down 144 Ukrainian drones over the Leningrad region during an aerial attack, Regional Governor Alexander Drozdenko said on social media.
Drozdenko said no major damage was reported. However, falling drone debris was reported in several districts, causing minor damage to residential buildings.
A fire broke out at a Russian Defence Ministry facility in the Lomonosovsky district as a result of the attack, he added.
Four local residents received medical assistance due to the fire. One person was hospitalised, while three others, including a child, received treatment on site.
More than 600 people were evacuated from the security zone around the facility, according to regional authorities.
Drozdenko said the fire was extinguished and emergency recovery work was completed.
The attack marks the second major drone assault on St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region since the start of this year's St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which concludes on Saturday.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is deeply concerning. Europe's largest nuclear power plant (Zaporizhzhia) was already a nightmare waiting to happen, and now we have incidents near Chornobyl. 😔 It's easy for the West to ignore because it's far away, but radiation has no passport. I hope sanity prevails soon.
Both sides are escalating dangerously. Ukraine claims an attack on Chornobyl storage while Russia says drones hit a Defence Ministry facility. Meanwhile, over 600 people evacuated from one side and a fire at another. This war is draining resources that could be used for peace. As Indians, we know the value of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' – the world is one family. Enough of this madness.
Chornobyl still haunts us 35+ years later. Attacking near that site is not just reckless – it's criminally irresponsible. Even if no waste was stored in the damaged building, the psychological impact and risk to global nuclear safety is immense. India must use its diplomatic channels to push for immediate buffer zones around all nuclear facilities in conflict zones. 🕊️
Let's be honest – this conflict has turned into a dangerous game of chess where the pieces are radioactive facilities and human lives. Russia denies, Ukraine accuses. Meanwhile, the world watches. India's position of neutrality only works if we actively push for peace. At this rate, God forbid, the next Chornobyl could be even worse.
The fire was extinguished and radiation is normal – thank goodness for small mercies. But this is a stark reminder that war doesn't just kill soldiers;
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