On the evening of September 30, 2026, a Russian drone struck the territory of the Institute for Nuclear Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv. The incident raised serious concern among authorities and the public since the facility houses a research nuclear reactor.
Attack Details and Fire Response
According to the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine, the strike occurred at 18:18 Kyiv time. The drone impact caused a fire on the institute's grounds, which was promptly extinguished by emergency services before it could cause critical infrastructure damage.
Nuclear Facility Status and Radiation Levels
Specialists inspected the site and confirmed that the VVR-M research reactor and its safety systems suffered no damage. Radiation levels remained within the natural baseline, measuring 0.16–0.20 microsieverts per hour. Notably, the reactor has been shut down since February 2022 to minimize risks, and its core has been completely defueled.
Official Assessment of the Incident
Representatives of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate condemned the strike as a deliberate attack on a peaceful scientific installation, emphasizing that the facility performs exclusively research functions.
Additional Impacts Across the Capital
Earlier, on October 1, another drone struck a school in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district, while two impacts were recorded near the Southern Bridge supports, leading to temporary traffic restrictions.
