Russia launched strikes on several nuclear power plants in Ukraine on Sunday, posing serious risks to the stability of the country's energy system. According to the international environmental organization Greenpeace, these strikes significantly increased the danger to Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which is already under constant threat from Russian aggression.
The damaged electrical substations are “crucial for the operation of Ukrainian nuclear power plants,” and there is a possibility that “the reactors could be left without power and become unsafe.”.
Official Ukrainian sources acknowledged the technical analysis of the crisis conducted by Greenpeace.
Main power lines from four substations to three nuclear power plants were cut, and a “loud explosion” was heard at the Khmelnytskyi NPP. Two power lines in Rivne became inaccessible, and power was reduced at six of the nine operating nuclear reactors at three sites.
In the event of a power outage, Ukrainian reactors have diesel generators and batteries capable of providing the necessary power with a fuel reserve of seven to ten days. But if the fuel supply cannot be secured or the power supply restored, the consequences could lead to a nuclear disaster.
The IAEA previously reported that after the attack, Ukraine shut down 7 of its 9 operating nuclear reactors.
At the same time, the arrivals at the substations were not officially confirmed.
