New Threat to Nuclear Safety: Russia Targets Ukraine's Power Infrastructure

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported a concerning shift in Russia's strategy during its assaults on Ukraine's power grid, now concentrating on critical electricity transmission facilities linked to nuclear power plants. This alarming trend marks the third significant attack in a mere few months, escalating fears among experts about the looming risk of a nuclear catastrophe.

Following the assaults on Thursday, Ukrainian nuclear plants have taken precautionary measures by reducing their output or disconnecting from the grid altogether, even though no direct damage to the reactors has been reported. According to Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the IAEA, these strikes represent a severe threat to nuclear safety as Ukraine's energy infrastructure is notably fragile.

Since the onset of the war, Russia has targeted Ukraine's energy systems, with an early focus on thermal and hydroelectric facilities, resulting in significant blackouts. However, Ukraine's nuclear power plants had largely remained unaffected until recent months. Experts suggest that the new strategy of attacking substations associated with nuclear plants could indicate the intent behind dismantling Ukraine's remaining major sources of power, which are crucial for the country's energy resilience.