There is more than one way to exercise the nuclear option: for example, you can throw the “N” word around in a threatening manner; you can go all the way and launch an actual nuclear weapon; or you can attack an existing nuclear facility. And this week — not for the first time — the Kremlin has chosen the third option.

Yesterday, at about 2:00 a.m. local time, a Russian Shahed drone struck the Centralized Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility in Ukraine’s already fragile Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, causing a fire. Luckily, the fire was quickly extinguished, and Ukrainian authorities report that there were no casualties. Most importantly, radiation levels remain within normal limits, according to both Energoatom — Ukraine’s state nuclear power operator — and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA also said that it was preparing to visit the site to assess the situation. [Peter Beaumont, The Guardian, June 7, 2026.]

Still, it was much too close for comfort . . . and it was no accident.

In a statement following the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said:

“As of now, there is no heightening of radiation safety limits. But there is clearly a heightening of Russia’s already sky-high arrogance. It was [a] critical infrastructure facility. And an extremely vile Russian attack.” [Id.]

And Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, posted on X:

“This is not the first time Russian forces are putting Ukrainian nuclear facilities at risk. Russia’s nuclear blackmail and threats to nuclear safety are systemic, deliberate, and unacceptable.” [Id.]

The attack followed a strike by Ukraine on a naval base and an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, Russia, earlier in the week . . . which in turn was a response to a massive, multi-city assault on Ukraine by Russian forces underscoring Vladimir Putin’s flat rejection of Zelensky’s most recent offer of a ceasefire and peace talks between the two leaders.

While these tit-for-tat drone and missile strikes have become the new “normal” as Ukraine’s military technology has advanced, the targeting of nuclear-connected facilities is an escalation that threatens, not only the two combatant nations, but the rest of Europe as well.

And this guy knows it all too well . . .

One might almost believe that he actually wants Armageddon.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
6/8/26