Ukraine: IAEA warns of nuclear accident from Russia’s attacks on electricity network

The nuclear hazard bell was struck today (04.02.2020) by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi, who visited her, with the background of the fierce missile attack that she launched in the city of Izium. In particular, Rafael Grossi inspected a substation of electricity in Kiev and warned that the attacks he carries out in Ukraine, aimed at its power grid, can create the risk of a nuclear accident from stopping supply. MISCELLANEOUS “I am at the Kifska substation that constitutes an important part of Ukraine’s nuclear safety-essential electricity network ” Grossi wrote on platform H. “A nuclear accident may result from a direct attack on the station, but it may also be caused by the shutdown of power supply.” Grossi posted photographs of him showing him visiting the substation along with Energy Minister, German Galusenko, showing him the means to deal with Russian attacks. ADVERSE I’m at Kyivska electronic substation—an important part of Ukraine’s power grid essential for nuclear safety. A nuclear accident can result from a direct attack on a plant, but also from power supply disruption. is here to assist impact, support, & help expect that risk. — Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi) Moscow, during its three-year invasion, has repeatedly bombed Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, including substations, although it has avoided direct blows to Ukraine’s nuclear power stations. Grossi said he would visit Russia later this week to discuss the situation in Ukraine and the Zaporizia nuclear power station under Russian occupation. Russia occupied the nuclear power station shortly after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. “It is important to maintain, in the context of fulfilling my obligations, constant channels of communication,” Grossi said during media briefing. Last week, the IAEA reported in a statement that Groshi would visit Kiev for high-level meetings to ensure nuclear security in the war launched by Russia in February 2022. In September, Ukraine and the IIAA agreed that experts from the international organisation would monitor the situation in Ukraine’s major substations as well as nuclear plants. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko More than 50% of electricity consumed in Ukraine is produced by three nuclear power stations. Russian missile and drone attacks in substations threaten the steady operation of nuclear power stations according to the Ukrainian nuclear energy inspectors’ office. Kifkska substation allows the transfer of surplus capacity from western Ukraine to the central areas thanks to the Rivne-Kievu transport line, which extends hundreds of kilometres long, helping to supply electricity to Kiev and the surrounding area. “ An increasingly fragile power grid is an increasing risk to all nuclear power plants, ” Rafael Grossi told X, referring to nuclear power plants.