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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha have called on the international community to respond to Russia’s strike on the Centralized Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility in the Kyiv region.
As reported by UATV English, both officials issued statements on the morning of June 7.
Russian forces launched an overnight attack on the area surrounding the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. A Russian Shahed drone struck one of the buildings of the Centralized Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility.
“This is an extremely critical piece of infrastructure. And an extremely treacherous Russian strike,” Zelenskyy said.
The president stressed that Russia had deliberately targeted a nuclear infrastructure facility.
“As of now, there has been no increase in radiation levels. But there is no doubt that Russia’s audacity has once again exceeded all limits. Ukrainian emergency responders extinguished the fire caused by the strike. The world must take real new steps so that Russians feel that this terrorist war of theirs ultimately strikes Russia itself,” Zelenskyy stated.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Energy, and other relevant agencies are already working to ensure that all of Ukraine’s international partners are fully informed about the incident.
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the facility operated by Energoatom is intended for the long-term safe storage of spent nuclear fuel. The building sustained partial damage as a result of the attack.
The General Staff emphasized that Russia is systematically creating nuclear safety risks, including by routing missiles and drones in close proximity to Ukrainian nuclear facilities. Such actions could have consequences far beyond Ukraine and affect the whole of Europe.
Foreign Minister Sybiha noted that this was far from the first time Russia had created threats to Ukrainian nuclear facilities.
“Russia’s nuclear blackmail and threats are systematic, deliberate, and unacceptable. They deserve global condemnation and increased pressure on the aggressor,” he said.
Ukraine has notified the International Atomic Energy Agency about Russia’s strike on the Centralized Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.
IAEA inspectors are expected to visit the site in the near future to assess the extent of the damage.
The agency’s Director General, Rafael Grossi, described the incident as “deeply concerning,” noting that nuclear material was stored only a few meters from the building that was struck.
Earlier on June 7, Energoatom reported that a Russian drone had struck the Centralized Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility in the Chornobyl area.
The company also clarified that no spent nuclear fuel was stored in the section of the facility that was hit, and radiation levels remain within normal limits.
Meanwhile, the European Union is preparing its 21st sanctions package against Russia. According to media reports, EU member states aim to approve the measures before July 15, ahead of the deadline for updating the price cap on Russian oil.
Read also: NATO Preparing New €70 Billion Military Support Package for Ukraine, — Politico
