IAEA Warns Of ‘Critical’ Nuclear Risk After Russian Strikes On Ukraine

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

VIENNA/KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has warned that Russia’s ongoing strikes in neighboring Ukraine have damaged nuclear substations, potentially threatening the region and the rest of Europe.

In a “critical” warning seen by Worthy News on Friday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that power to three nuclear power plants has been affected following Russian attacks, thereby increasing the risk to nuclear safety and security across the war-torn nation.

The IAEA said teams at the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant and the Khmelnitsky Nuclear Power Plant reported the loss of one of their off-site power lines following the overnight missile strikes.

In a statement, the agency confirmed: “The IAEA has been informed of military activity in Ukraine early this morning that has led to damage to substations critical to nuclear safety and security in Ukraine.”

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi warned that “the dangers to nuclear safety continue to be very real and ever-present. I once again call for maximum military restraint in the vicinity of nuclear facilities and full respect of the seven indispensable pillars for nuclear safety and security.”

ZELENSKY CONDEMNS ATTACKS

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia struck the Slovyansk Thermal Power Plant on Thursday. “This is outright terror. Normal people don’t wage war like this, and the world must respond appropriately to such Russian warfare,” he said on social media.

Ukraine’s energy ministry reported further damage to transmission infrastructure across several regions, forcing emergency power cuts amid plunging autumn temperatures.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha claimed Russia fired the 9M729 ground-launched cruise missile, a weapon banned under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty that the U.S. withdrew from in 2019 during the Trump administration.

“Russia’s use of the INF-banned 9M729 against Ukraine demonstrates President Putin’s disrespect for U.S. diplomatic efforts and international law,” Sybiha said in a written statement.

A Ukrainian official told Reuters that the missile has been used 23 times since August. Moscow has not commented publicly on the allegations.

EUROPE ON ALERT

European officials said they were monitoring the situation closely amid concerns that continued power disruptions could compromise reactor cooling systems if backup generators fail.

Analysts warn that Russia’s renewed assault on Ukraine’s power grid marks a dangerous escalation, aimed at crippling the country’s energy infrastructure before winter — a move that could have “transboundary safety implications” for Europe.

IAEA chief Grossi plans to brief the United Nations Security Council early next week on the deteriorating safety conditions and has again urged the creation of a nuclear safety protection zone around all of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities.

Latest Worthy News