Russia damages 4 Ukrainian power substations critical to nuclear safety — IAEA

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi made the statement.

"Ukraine’s power system is also a growing concern for nuclear safety at its three operating NPPs – Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine – which require a reliable and stable connection to the national grid both to transmit the electricity they generate and to receive the off-site power they need for vital nuclear safety functions," he said.

Grossi noted that the risks to these nuclear power plants became apparent last weekend when energy infrastructure across the country was hit by large-scale Russian attacks.

"Less than three months after military strikes caused extensive damage to a number of electrical substations across the country, which the IAEA has identified as important for nuclear safety," the IAEA Director General commented.

According to him, four of these substations and their power lines were hit again on the night of November 16 and in the early morning of November 17, forcing Ukraine's operating nuclear power plants to reduce their power as a precautionary measure.

However, Grossi stressed that in recent days, Ukraine's operating NPPs have gradually begun to restore their power lines and increase electricity production, but on Thursday morning they again reduced power production as a precautionary measure, resuming it later.

On Thursday, November 21, in the morning, South Ukraine NPP disconnected from two 750 kV power lines for maintenance, while continuing to receive electricity from backup systems.

“The growing instability of the power grid is a deepening source of concern for nuclear safety, affecting all the nuclear power plants,” Director General Grossi said.

Before the latest attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the Agency's teams visited seven substations in September and October to assess the damage caused by the August attacks.

"They documented extensive damage to all the substations visited, concluding that the grid’s capability to provide a reliable off-site power supply to Ukrainian NPPs has been significantly reduced. Repairs and additional protective measures are being implemented by Ukraine," Grossi said.

He emphasized the importance of adhering to the seven basic principles of nuclear safety and security, one of which stipulates that all NPPs should have reliable external power supply.

• On the morning of November 17, Russian troops launched a massive attack on Ukraine. Russian forces used attack drones, as well as cruise and ballistic missiles, for a combined attack. Energy facilities in a number of Ukrainian regions were hit.
• Following the attack, Ukraine reduced the capacity of most of its nuclear reactors, which remain under state control.
• On November 20, Greenpeace nuclear experts noted that Ukrainian nuclear power plants are under high threat and called on the IAEA to act more decisively to avoid a potential nuclear disaster.
• Russian missile attacks on November 16 and 17 damaged three of DTEK's five operational thermal power plants: it is unclear how long it will take to repair them.