Shelling of Ukrainian substations could provoke an emergency at nuclear power plants.

Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko stated that further Russian strikes on Ukraine's power grid could cause an emergency at operational nuclear power plants controlled by Kyiv. The threat of destroying ten key nodes related to nuclear power plants could lead to darkness in the country and a radiation emergency.

The minister emphasized that Russian strikes are bringing nuclear risks closer to Ukraine's borders with the European Union. He noted that the Russian military knows exactly what they are doing by attacking substations that are critically important for nuclear safety.

The need for a constant flow of electricity for the operation of nuclear power plants lies in the fact that they provide stability and regulate the transmission of high-voltage electricity. Unlike fossil or renewable sources, nuclear plants require a constant flow of electricity to ensure the operation of safety systems. If this flow is absent, the fuel in the reactor's active zone could overheat, posing an uncontrolled radiation release threat.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expanded its monitoring mission in Ukraine to substations, indicating a risk to nuclear safety. Typically, IAEA inspectors are involved in accounting for nuclear materials, but now they are also monitoring national power grids.

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Kyiv of “striking” the Kursk nuclear power plant and threatens to strike Ukrainian nuclear power plants. The IAEA, for its part, recommends not restarting the reactors of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant while the war continues.