Russian Strikes on Ukraine's Power Grid Heighten Nuclear Disaster Risks

Targeted attacks on energy infrastructure threaten the safety of operational nuclear plants, prompting urgent calls for international intervention.

Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's power grid have severely damaged substations critical to the operation of three nuclear power plants, raising fears of a potential nuclear disaster.
Ukraine's Energy Ministry warns that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is at risk of a complete blackout after losing one of its two power supply lines due to recent strikes.
Greenpeace and Ukrainian officials stress that disruptions to external power needed for reactor cooling could lead to catastrophic consequences, with backup systems only capable of sustaining operations for 7–10 days.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is being urged to deploy permanent monitors at key substations to mitigate risks, as attacks intensify despite previous inspections and warnings.
Experts highlight that Russia's strategy of targeting energy infrastructure is aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, creating humanitarian crises, and leveraging the threat of nuclear disaster as a military tactic.