The IAEA has been informed by Ukraine of a drone attack early this morning on the central spent fuel storage facility located in the Chornobyl exclusion zone.
The strike caused significant damage to the facility’s fuel reception building – including to the facade, windows and doors – and nearby buildings were also affected by the blast wave. Radiation levels at the facility remain within established limits, Ukraine says.
The IAEA team at the Chornobyl site will soon visit the facility to inspect the impact.
DG Rafael Grossi says the incident is deeply concerning as it occurred at a facility containing large amounts of nuclear material, held in storage just metres away from the attacked building.
Attacks on nuclear sites are completely unacceptable and in direct contravention of key nuclear safety principles, notably the 7 Indispensable Pillars for nuclear safety and security during a military conflict, DG Grossi says.
: International Atomic Energy Agency