Russia Targets Nuclear Plant Energy Substations in Major Missile Assault, Raising Global Safety Alarms

Russia Strikes Energy Substations Linked to Nuclear Plants in Escalated Attack

In a significant escalation overnight on November 7-8, Russian forces targeted key energy substations supplying the Khmelnytskyi and Rivne nuclear power plants, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The attacks were part of a broader assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which authorities are describing as among the most severe since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Planned Strikes Raise Concerns Over Nuclear Safety

Foreign Minister Sybiha emphasized that the strikes appeared methodical, dismissing the notion that they were accidental. “Russia is deliberately endangering nuclear safety in Europe,” he stated on social media, underscoring the international ramifications. While Sybiha did not confirm the extent of damage to the substations, he strongly condemned the targeting of critical infrastructure that supports nuclear facilities.

Despite the severity of the attack, officials reported no immediate disruptions to the operations of the Khmelnytskyi and Rivne nuclear power plants. Both plants remain functional and under the oversight of Ukraine’s nuclear authority and international monitors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Widespread Outages and Emergency Measures

According to Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk, Russia launched 45 cruise and ballistic missiles and fired over 450 other munitions overnight, making it one of the largest direct missile assaults on Ukraine’s energy sector to date. The strikes prompted widespread emergency outages, with Kyiv experiencing power cuts that lasted over 12 hours. The state grid operator, Ukrenergo, confirmed that several regions were forced to implement blackout protocols to stabilize the system.

Calls for Global Action Amid Heightened Risk

The proximity of these nuclear plants to the attacks has elicited urgent calls for international intervention. Sybiha has requested an emergency session of the IAEA’s Board of Governors and appealed to major Russian energy partners, China, and India, to exert pressure on Moscow. “There needs to be global pressure to force Moscow to stop its nuclear blackmail,” he insisted, warning that the campaign risks precipitating a catastrophic incident.

The Khmelnytskyi and Rivne plants, both situated in western Ukraine and distant from active frontlines, remain vulnerable due to their dependence on critical infrastructure. Earlier incidents reported by IAEA staff have included the sounds of drones and gunfire near the sites, heightening anxieties surrounding their security.

Continuing Threats to Ukraine’s Nuclear Facilities

Ukraine’s nuclear sector has faced repeated threats since the Russian invasion began, with the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant already a focal point of international concern. The IAEA has consistently warned about the dangers posed by military activity near nuclear installations, noting that any attack on supporting infrastructure can rapidly escalate into a broader crisis.

As the conflict drags on, Ukrainian authorities and international agencies are intensifying efforts to shield Europe’s nuclear assets from the fallout of war, calling for urgent diplomatic and practical measures to mitigate the growing risks.