Missiles strike radioactive waste disposal site in Kyiv

Kyiv: The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU) has stated that Russian missiles hit a radioactive waste disposal site near Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, but there are no reports of damage to the buildings or indications of a release of radioactive material.

Russian shells hit a radioactive waste disposal site at the Radon Association branch in Kyiv. Country's nuclear agency said that its monitoring systems showed radiation levels rising at several points at and near the site.

In a statement late Sunday, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi says Ukrainian authorities informed his office about the overnight strike.

Such facilities typically hold low-level radioactive materials such as waste from hospitals and industry, but Grossi says the two incidents highlight a “very real risk.”

He further added that if the sites are damaged there could be “potentially severe consequences for human health and the environment”.

In the meantime, Russia has denied there had been a change in radiation levels.

The report came a day after an electrical transformer at a similar disposal facility in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv was damaged.

It is the fourth day of Russian President Vladimir Putin's all-out invasion of the country.  

Russian president Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine on February 24 and launched a large-scale invasion. Hence, their troops have been shelling and destroying key infrastructure for four days already.