---
title: "Drone Attacks Institute for Nuclear Research in Kyiv: Reactor Safe"
description: "On September 30 evening, a drone attacked the Institute for Nuclear Research in Kyiv, causing a fire. The research reactor and safety systems remain undamaged, and radiation levels are normal."
date: 2026-10-01T10:34:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/drone-attacks-institute-for-nuclear-research-in-kyiv
tags: [kyiv, nuclear-research, drone-attack, ukraine, safety]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Drone Attacks Institute for Nuclear Research in Kyiv: Reactor Safe

![Consequences of the drone attack in Kyiv near the nuclear institute](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/01/dron-atakoval-institut-yadernykh-issledovaniy-v-kieve/dron-atakoval-institut-yadernykh-issledovaniy-v-kieve-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- A drone struck the Institute for Nuclear Research in Kyiv on September 30, 2026.
- The VVR-M research reactor and safety systems were unaffected, with radiation levels normal.
- The reactor has been offline since February 2022 with nuclear fuel removed.

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.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Дрон атаковал Институт ядерных исследований в Киеве, там есть исследовательский реактор](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/dron-atakuvav-institut-dernih-doslidzhen-1790850611.html) - Официальное сообщение Государственной инспекции ядерного регулирования Украины.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Was the nuclear reactor damaged during the drone attack in Kyiv?
**A:** No, the VVR-M research reactor and its safety systems were not damaged.

### Q: What are the current radiation levels near the institute?
**A:** Radiation levels remain within normal limits at 0.16-0.20 microsieverts per hour.