08/06/2026
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns yet another attack by the Russian Federation on a Ukrainian nuclear infrastructure facility – the Centralized Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility.
On June 7, 2026, at 02:10 a.m., a Russian unmanned aerial vehicle attacked the container reception building of the Centralized Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility.
As a result of the explosion, the container reception building was partially destroyed. The blast wave also damaged adjacent buildings, including the premises used by IAEA experts. The fire that broke out as a result of the attack was localized by the facility's own team.
The attack on the Centralized Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility is yet another deliberate strike by Russia against Ukraine's peaceful nuclear infrastructure. Such actions create unacceptable risks to nuclear safety and security, undermine the international nuclear safety, security, and safeguards regime, and demonstrate Russia's complete disregard for the IAEA Charter, relevant safety standards, and the Agency's guidelines.
Russia continues to commit crimes in the nuclear sphere. A state that has occupied Europe's largest nuclear power plant, turns nuclear facilities into an instrument of military blackmail, and attacks the nuclear infrastructure facilities of another state cannot be perceived as a reliable partner in international nuclear cooperation.
The MFA of Ukraine calls on partners to draw appropriate political conclusions from this attack. Cooperation with the Russian nuclear industry carries reputational, security, and political risks. It effectively supports a state that systematically destroys the foundations of nuclear safety and security.
Ukraine calls on states, international organizations, companies, and financial institutions to wind down cooperation with the Russian nuclear industry, refrain from new projects with Russia in this area, and increase sanctions pressure on the Russian nuclear sector, including companies, officials, and entities involved in the occupation of Ukrainian nuclear facilities and the support of Russian aggression.
Ukraine has already informed the IAEA Secretariat about this attack and insists on its proper reflection in the relevant communications and reports of the Agency, in particular in the context of the IAEA Board of Governors meeting commencing on June 8, 2026.
We call on international partners, member states, and the IAEA Secretariat to provide a principled assessment of this attack.
Silence or blurred formulations only encourage Russia to launch further strikes on Ukraine's nuclear infrastructure, thereby endangering millions of people.
