Following a missile attack by Russia on October 30, energy infrastructures crucial for nuclear safety in Ukraine suffered damage. This was reported by Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"IAEA was informed about military activities in Ukraine on the morning of October 30, leading to damages at critical substations for nuclear security. Subsequently, IAEA teams at the South Ukraine and Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plants reported losing one external power line each," the statement said.
Furthermore, the IAEA team at the Rivne NPP indicated that the plant reduced the output of two of its four reactors at the request of the system operator.
"The threats to nuclear safety remain highly real and persistent. I urge maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities and full respect for the seven essential principles of nuclear safety and protection," Grossi stated.
The IAEA also reported ongoing efforts to repair the damaged 330 kV line "Ferosplavnaya-1" at the Zaporizhzhia NPP, where additional damages have been found.
"During restoration activities aimed at re-establishing the external power supply to the station—after a whole month without external electricity—IAEA confirmed the discovery of further damages on the backup line 'Ferosplavnaya-1', located approximately 1.8 km from the Zaporizhzhia thermal power station," the statement read.
According to Grossi, restoring this line is "key to improving the fragile nuclear safety situation at the station".