Russia’s Strikes on Ukraine’s Energy Grid Threaten Nuclear Plant Safety

Russian missile strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have heightened concerns over nuclear safety, damaging critical electrical substations that supply power to the country’s nuclear power plants, according to Ukrainska Pravda.

According to a statement from Ukraine during a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors, IAEA experts confirmed that multiple substations essential for nuclear power plant operations sustained significant damage from missile and drone attacks.

“The destruction of these facilities threatens the stability of external power supply to nuclear reactors, increasing the risk of emergency situations that could compromise nuclear safety,” the statement said.

Ukraine urged the international community to support efforts to secure reliable energy supply for its nuclear facilities. “We support the IAEA’s continued focus on strengthening the resilience of nuclear infrastructure, including improving emergency preparedness measures,” the statement added.

The Ukrainian delegation also expressed willingness to share its expertise in operating nuclear power plants under wartime conditions and contribute to global efforts to enhance nuclear safety in crisis situations.

Currently, Ukraine operates nine nuclear power units at the South Ukrainian, Rivne, and Khmelnytskyi plants, with a combined capacity of 7,880 megawatts. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, under Russian occupation since March 2022, has remained inactive since September of that year.

On February 14, a Russian drone attack temporarily left some equipment at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant without power. Additionally, recent shelling at the occupied Zaporizhzhia plant caused the disconnection of one of its two remaining power transmission lines.

Earlier, on February 14, a Russian drone strike hit a protective shelter above Reactor 4 of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported.