- President Zelensky informs the UN that Russia is planning attacks on three Ukrainian nuclear power plants, raising alarms over nuclear safety amid ongoing military aggression.
- Ukrainian officials report evidence of Russian surveillance using Chinese satellites, while Foreign Minister Sybiha highlights the potential targeting of critical energy infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has alerted the UN Security Council that Russia is preparing to launch attacks on three nuclear power plants in Ukraine. On September 24, 2024, Zelensky emphasised the importance of the threat, stating, “If Russia is ready to go that far, it means nothing you value matters to Moscow. This Russian cynicism will keep striking if it’s given a room in the world.”
Although he did not disclose the specific plants targeted, he assured that Ukraine possesses evidence of Russia’s intentions. The three operational nuclear plants in Ukraine, Rivne and Khmelnytskyi in the west and Pivdennoukrainsk in the south, are at risk.
Russian military operations have jeopardised their safety by regularly disrupting power supplies. Meanwhile, the largest in Europe, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, has remained under Russian control since March 2022 and has faced repeated disconnections from the Ukrainian power grid due to ongoing military actions.
In the lead-up to these alarming revelations, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha highlighted on September 21 that potential Russian targets include critical distribution devices and transmission substations necessary for the nuclear energy system’s safe operation. Zelensky also noted that Russia is reportedly utilising Chinese satellites to surveil Ukraine’s atomic facilities, further complicating the security situation.
Ukraine’s special services have proactively informed international partners and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about the imminent threat to its nuclear infrastructure. As tensions escalate, the international community is urged to take note of the situation, which underscores the potential risks associated with Russia’s military activities in the region.