Staff Reporter

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has formally accused the Russian Federation of deliberately endangering nuclear safety in Europe following a massive wave of Russian strikes that targeted power substations critical to the operation of the nation’s nuclear facilities.

The accusation came after overnight attacks on over the weekend impacted substations connected to both the Khmelnytskyi and Rivne nuclear power plants.

Mr. Sybiha characterized the attacks as not accidental but well-planned strikes and called for an urgent meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors.

“Russia is deliberately endangering nuclear safety in Europe,” Sybiha stated via X, urging global pressure, particularly from China and India, to demand Russia stop reckless attacks on nuclear energy that risk a catastrophic incident.

The Ukrainian allegation echoes previous warnings from the IAEA that repeated targeting of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure compromises the external power supply necessary to cool reactors and prevent a meltdown.

Russia’s Defence Ministry confirmed launching a massive strike with high-precision long-range air, ground and sea-based weapons against weapon production and gas and energy facilities, stating the action was in response to Kyiv’s own strikes on Russian territory.

The heightened risk at active power plants coincides with a significant, though fragile, safety improvement at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

On November 8, a backup power source was restored at the ZNPP for the first time in six months.

The latest attacks show the ongoing threat to nuclear infrastructure as winter approaches.

Russia, meanwhile, has repeatedly deflected responsibility and has issued counter-accusations against Ukraine.

Prior to the recent strikes, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) had accused the West and Ukraine of preparing a sabotage operation at the ZNPP designed to falsely blame Moscow, a claim analysts view as part of an ongoing disinformation campaign.