Russia Attacked the Institute for Nuclear Research in Kyiv

On September 30, 2026, at 18:18, a Russian UAV struck the site of the Institute for Nuclear Research in Kyiv, where the VVR-M research reactor is located. This was reported by the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU), citing the Institute for Nuclear Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

The fire caused by the attack was promptly extinguished. There were no casualties. An investigation and damage assessment are currently underway.

The reactor and systems important to safety were not damaged. No changes in background radiation have been recorded; the levels remain stable and are within natural background limits (0.16-0.20 µSv/h).

To minimize radiation risks, the reactor has been shut down since February 2022, with the core fully unloaded. Its operation is limited to scheduled maintenance of safety-critical systems.

According to the SNRIU