A drone struck the grounds of the nuclear institute in Kyiv: the reactor was not damaged
The fire was quickly extinguished, and radiation levels remained within normal limits
A Russian drone struck the territory of the Institute for Nuclear Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv yesterday evening, where the VVR-M research reactor is located. The strike caused a fire that was quickly extinguished. The reactor and the systems on which its safety depends remained undamaged.
The consequences of the attack were reported today, October 1, by the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine. The institute confirmed a hit on the reactor site and clarified that there are no changes in the radiation background. Measured readings are 0.16–0.20 µSv/h and correspond to natural values.
The reactor has been in a shutdown state since February 2022, and its core has been completely unloaded. Currently, only routine maintenance of systems important for safety is being carried out at the facility.
The purpose of the VVR-M is to provide a source of neutrons for fundamental and applied research in the field of nuclear physics.
The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate regarded the strike as an attack on a peaceful nuclear institution and stated that it violates internationally recognized principles of nuclear and radiation safety.
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