IAEA Documents Damage to Ukraine’s Critical Substations for Nuclear Plants from Russian Attacks

Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have assessed the damage caused by recent Russian attacks on Ukraine’s key energy infrastructure from November to December 2024.

According to the Ministry of Energy, the IAEA experts, accompanied by representatives from Ukraine’s National Energy Company ‘Ukrenergo’, the National Nuclear Energy Generating Company of Ukraine ‘Energoatom’, and the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine, documented the extent of the damage to electrical substations.

The assessment focused on infrastructure vital for providing power to nuclear reactors and meeting the internal energy demands of nuclear power plants.

The IAEA team was able to compare the intensity of recent strikes with those from previous attacks, providing valuable data on the scale of damage. They also recorded the progress of recovery efforts and the current capacity of the affected substations.

Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko emphasized the importance of involving international experts to assess the damage and ensure the safety of Ukraine’s nuclear infrastructure.

“Coordinated actions between Ukraine and international partners are essential to mitigate the risks of nuclear incidents amid ongoing Russian military aggression,” Halushchenko stated.

On December 12, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted a resolution, initiated by Ukraine, condemning Russian attacks on critical nuclear infrastructure. This resolution highlighted the direct threat these actions pose to nuclear and radiation safety across Europe.

Earlier, IAEA convened an emergency meeting in Vienna on December 12, following Kremlin strikes on critical electrical infrastructure. These attacks forced Ukraine to reduce output at its nine operational nuclear reactors. IAEA officials warned that the damage to substations, crucial for nuclear safety systems, significantly increases the risk of a radiological emergency with serious consequences for human health, the environment, and global food security.