Ukraine’s Security Service Labels Russian Strike on Nuclear Waste Storage Near Chornobyl a War Crime

Russia Accused of War Crime

According to Главком: Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has officially classified the Russian attack on the Centralized Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility near the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant as a war crime. A criminal investigation has been launched under Part 1 of Article 438 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, which addresses violations of the laws and customs of war.

According to the SBU’s investigative task force, Russian forces carried out the strike using a Geran-2 drone at 2:05 AM on June 7, 2026. The explosion damaged the spent fuel reception and reloading buildings, as well as the IAEA administrative office. Drone debris has already been recovered at the impact site. Despite the attack, the facility’s operations were not disrupted, and radiation levels remain within normal limits. No casualties or injuries have been reported.

Global and Local Reactions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the overnight assault on a nuclear infrastructure site, describing it as

“a deliberate act of treachery and nuclear blackmail by the Kremlin.”

SBU investigators, operating under the procedural supervision of the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, are conducting a comprehensive effort to identify and prosecute those responsible for the attack. In the early hours of Sunday, June 7, 2026, Russia committed another blatant act of nuclear terrorism, endangering the radiological safety of Eastern Europe.

This incident underscores the critical importance of securing nuclear facilities during armed conflict, especially in regions already scarred by nuclear disasters. Targeting a highly sensitive site like the Centralized Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility raises serious concerns about potential consequences for both people and the environment. The international community’s response to this act will be pivotal in shaping future developments in the region and in upholding global nuclear safety standards.

The recent attack on the nuclear storage facility has raised alarms not only in Ukraine but also globally. As tensions escalate, Zelenskyy has confirmed the strike and emphasized the urgent need for enhanced protection of nuclear sites amidst ongoing conflicts. This incident highlights the precarious balance between military actions and the safety of critical infrastructure in the region.