Greenpeace warns that recent strikes on Ukrainian power substations pose a risk of "energy collapse."

The environmental organization Greenpeace has issued a warning that the Ukrainian energy grid faces a "heightened risk of catastrophic failure" following Russia's mass missile and drone attack on electrical substations crucial for the operation of nuclear power plants on November 17.

Source. This was reported by The Guardian on November 20.

The strikes serve as further evidence of Russia's strategy to undermine Ukraine's energy infrastructure, increasing the burden on the country’s nuclear power plants, which supply two-thirds of its electricity.

Experts warn that a loss of power to these nuclear facilities could pose serious safety risks.

Greenpeace's analysis, which aligns with assessments from Ukrainian authorities, emphasizes the urgent need to ensure reliable protection for these vital energy resources.

Recent Russian strikes targeted substations that are critically important for the operation of three nuclear power plants under Ukraine's management: Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, and South Ukraine.

Although the reactors were not directly affected, Greenpeace asserts that damage to the substations could destabilize the grid, increasing the likelihood of dangerous shutdowns at nuclear facilities.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that the transmission lines connecting the substations to the nuclear plants were severed, with reports of explosions near the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant. Consequently, as of November 17, six out of nine reactors were operating at reduced capacity.

Russia launched approximately 210 missiles and drones during the attack, according to "Ukrenergo," causing "significant damage" to thermal power plants and triggering nationwide electricity rationing. Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, described the attack as one of the most devastating to date.

The Ukrainian energy system has repeatedly been targeted since the onset of the full-scale war with Russia. Previous strikes have destroyed coal, oil, and hydroelectric power plants, making nuclear power plants critical for electricity supply in the country.

Background. Meanwhile, it has been reported that French leftists are proposing to deploy UN peacekeepers at "Ukrainian and Russian" nuclear power plants. The NNF aims to appeal to the French government to support this initiative.