Monday’s bombing spree prompted Ukraine to shut down four nuclear reactors

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Aug. 29 () –

Ukrainian authorities were forced to shut down four nuclear reactors following massive attacks launched by the Russian armed forces on Monday, targeting mainly critical infrastructure.

This is stated in a letter sent by the Ukrainian government to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which states that reactors one, three and four of the Rivne nuclear power plant were disconnected from the grid early in the morning, according to the DPA news agency.

As a result, the output of another power plant in the Mykolaiv region was increased, but voltage fluctuations led to the shutdown of its third reactor in the afternoon.

These types of facilities are of particular concern due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine since the invasion ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022. Although there are no reports of direct attacks, the supply has been affected.

Furthermore, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, located in the Zaporizhia region, has been under Russian control for more than two years and is a cause of constant concern for the IAEA, given the clashes that have taken place in the vicinity.

The director general of the agency, Rafael Grossi, is scheduled to make his fifth visit to the area next week since a permanent IAEA presence was introduced at the Zaporizhia plant. In this regard, he argued in a statement that this “proactive presence” is key to “helping to stabilise the situation”.

“My message has been loud and clear throughout this tragic war: a nuclear accident must be avoided at all costs and a nuclear power plant must never be attacked,” Grossi said, warning that the consequences of a possible slip-up could be “disastrous.”