Drone strikes Kyiv's nuclear research institute, where a research reactor is located

The Institute for Nuclear Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine said that the strike occurred on September 30 at 6:18 p.m. Kyiv time.

The drone hit the territory where the Kyiv research reactor VVR-M is located. The attack caused a fire, which was quickly extinguished.

Reactor not damaged, radiation levels normal

The reactor itself and the systems responsible for safety were not damaged. The radiation background did not change.

Its readings remain within the natural background range of 0.16–0.20 microsieverts per hour.

The reactor has not been operating since February 2022. It was shut down to reduce risks, and the active zone, where nuclear fuel is placed, was completely unloaded. Currently, only scheduled maintenance of safety-critical systems is being carried out there.

"The VVR-M reactor is used as a source of neutrons for fundamental and applied research in the field of nuclear physics. Therefore, the UAV strike on the territory of the Institute for Nuclear Research is an attack on a peaceful nuclear facility that performs exclusively scientific and research functions, and is another cynical disregard by Russia for the internationally recognized principles and norms of nuclear and radiation safety and a war crime," the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate emphasized.

On October 1, a drone struck a school in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district.

The children and staff took shelter, and after receiving permission from emergency services, they were evacuated.

Meanwhile, two drone strikes were recorded near the support structure of the Southern Bridge in the capital.

Metro and ground transportation across the bridge were halted, while the condition of the structure is being inspected by experts.