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Kiev accuses Russia of 'nuclear terrorism' after attacks on power substations

2025-11-01 10:32:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Kiev accuses Russia of 'nuclear terrorism' after attacks on power

Kiev and international authorities have condemned Russia's attacks on the civilian energy sector, while Ukraine has accused Moscow of "nuclear terrorism" after attacks on substations that are essential for supplying nuclear power plants with electricity.

"Deliberate attacks on civilian energy facilities, which directly affect the safe operation of nuclear installations, bear the hallmarks of nuclear terrorism and constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law," Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said on October 31.

The ministry referred to a statement from the previous day by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which cited military attacks that "have caused damage to substations vital to nuclear safety in Ukraine."

The UN nuclear agency said incidents near the southern Ukrainian and Khmelnytsky nuclear power plants have disconnected these facilities from external power lines.

She added that a third station, the one in Rivne, had been forced to reduce output at two of its four reactors due to the attacks.

"The risks to nuclear security remain very real and persistent. Once again I call for maximum military restraint in the vicinity of nuclear facilities," said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.

High tensions around the Zaporizhia power plant

The main attention is focused on the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, in southeastern Ukraine, where work is underway to repair damage from previous attacks.

"We are working intensively to create the necessary conditions for these additional repairs to begin. Restoring this power line is essential for improving the fragile nuclear safety situation in this country," Grossi said.

This plant - the largest in Europe - has been under Russian control since the beginning of Moscow's full invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

It has been operating on diesel backup generators since September 23, when external power lines were cut.

The six reactors at the Zaporizhia plant have been shut down for three years and no longer produce electricity, but they need power for safety systems, such as cooling pumps, to avoid a nuclear accident.

Russia denies that it strikes civilian infrastructure, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Ukraine has responded to Moscow by striking military targets, often deep inside Russian territory.

On October 31, Kiev announced that it had carried out around 160 attacks on Russian oil industry facilities during 2025, targeting a significant source of funding for Moscow's war.

Western countries have also imposed sanctions on the Russian energy sector, further restricting the flow of money to the Kremlin./ Rel