Russian Drone Strike Hits Grounds of Kyiv Nuclear Research Institute, No Casualties Reported

A Russian drone strike hit the grounds of a nuclear research institute in Kyiv, Ukrainian authorities said, though no casualties were reported and the facility's safety-critical systems were not damaged.

Ukraine's State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate said the strike affected the site of the VVR-M research reactor but confirmed that systems critical to the reactor's safe operation remained intact. A fire that broke out as a result of the attack was extinguished promptly, the agency said, without providing further detail on damage to surrounding structures.

The research reactor is used for scientific and research purposes rather than power generation, and Ukrainian officials emphasized that the incident did not pose a radiological risk to the public. Authorities said inspections of the site were continuing to assess any further impact.

The strike is part of a broader pattern of Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, with energy and research facilities among the targets hit periodically throughout the conflict. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly raised concerns about the risks such strikes pose near nuclear-related sites.

There was no immediate comment from Russian officials on the reported strike. Ukrainian authorities said they would continue monitoring the institute's systems in the aftermath of the attack.