The Minister of Energy of Ukraine, German Galushchenko, together with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) delegation led by Director General Rafael Grossi, and accompanied by Acting Chairman of the Board of NPC "Ukrenergo" Oleksii Brekht, Acting Head of NNEGC "Energoatom" Petro Kotin, and Head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine Oleh Korikov, visited one of the key power transmission facilities critical for the safe operation of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants.
The agency's monitoring missions continue to track the situation at key substations.
"These substations are part of the chain ensuring radiation and nuclear safety. That is why it is very important that Rafael (IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi) is here today in person, that IAEA missions have already taken place several times and will continue to be conducted at these substations, and that this issue is being discussed at the highest global level, at IAEA meetings. It is crucial that we continue monitoring these substations," said German Galushchenko during the visit.
He emphasized that russian attacks on these critical for nuclear generation substations constitute real terror. It is very important that IAEA experts have access, can see the destruction, and provide their assessments and official reports.
"A nuclear power plant, as we all know, generates electricity, but it also needs electricity to ensure its safe operation. When the plant does not receive this electricity, its safety is at risk, and ultimately, this could lead to an accident. Last year, when I met with President Zelenskyy and the Minister, we agreed that we would start looking at this issue more systematically so that we at the IAEA could conduct an assessment and provide our perspective on the situation, comparing it with other experiences worldwide to give the best advice. In fact, we have visited nine substations that are critically important for the operation and safety of nuclear power plants. And, of course, the situation is quite dire," said Rafael Grossi during the visit.
For his part, Ukrenergo head Oleksii Brekht noted: "It is important for us that the facts of russia’s energy terrorism are properly recorded and documented. The world must see that the aggressor is violating all norms of international law by regularly striking Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure, creating threats to the safe operation of nuclear power plants. Today, we clearly demonstrated to the IAEA head the consequences of russian missile and drone strikes on our substations. We hope this will finally help put an end to the attacks on Ukraine’s energy system."
