Russia intends to launch assaults on Ukraine's nuclear installations
In the third year of the ongoing conflict, Ukraine braces for a harsh winter, with Russia reportedly aiming to disrupt its energy supply once more. As per Ukrainian authorities, Russia is also planning assaults on its nuclear facilities. Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha stated in an X post that Russia's strategy targets open distribution facilities in nuclear power plants and substations, vital for stable nuclear power generation. A potential mishap at these nuclear power plants could trigger significant global repercussions. The intelligence findings have been relayed to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Russian missile and drone strikes have consistently targeted energy facilities since March. Ukrainian data reveals that over nine gigawatts worth of power plant facilities have either been damaged or destroyed. This has resulted in frequent power outages lasting several hours across the nation. The three operational Ukrainian nuclear power plants in Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, and Mykolaiv in the western and southern regions, each with a capacity of about 7.8 gigawatts, collectively account for half of Ukraine's electricity production.
Andriy Yermak, the chief of staff for the Ukrainian president, urged a prompt global response to this claimed threat. In a Telegram post, he described it as a prelude to a potential nuclear disaster scenario. "Russia is a terrorist," he asserted. "They need to be stopped immediately. The nations of the West and the Global South must respond harshly to these acts of terror preparation."
During the attack on Ukraine, Russia seized control of Europe's largest nuclear power plant, located near the southern city of Zaporizhzhia. The six reactors with a combined capacity of six gigawatts have been shut down due to security concerns. Regular artillery and drone attacks have been reported near the power plant, with several Ukrainian attempts to reclaim it proving unsuccessful.
The ongoing Ukrainian conflict, marked by Russian aggression, has led to repeated attacks on energy facilities, including Ukraine's nuclear power plants. Andriy Yermak's warning about Russia's claimed threat to nuclear facilities could escalate the conflict, potentially leading to a devastating nuclear disaster.
