KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Recent attacks on Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure by Moscow have raised alarms about the Energy Ministry’s failure to safeguard critical energy facilities near nuclear power plants. Despite warnings over the past year about the vulnerability of these sites to potential Russian strikes, the Energy Ministry in Kyiv did not act promptly, according to current and former Ukrainian officials. Ukraine relies on nuclear power for over half of its electricity generation following years of Russian attacks on its power grid. The unprotected nuclear switchyards outside the perimeters of the three operational nuclear plants are particularly at risk, as they are essential for transmitting power to the rest of the country.
“These switchyards play a crucial role in Ukraine’s nuclear energy infrastructure, providing power to homes, schools, hospitals, and other vital civilian structures. Given Ukraine’s heavy dependence on nuclear energy, attacks on these switchyards would have severe consequences, disrupting civilian life and weakening the energy grid’s resilience,” explained Marcy R. Fowler from Open Nuclear Network, a program by the U.S.-based NGO PAX sapiens dedicated to reducing nuclear risks. Only after Ukrainian intelligence agencies warned of potential Russian strikes on the nuclear switchyards last fall did action begin to fortify the sites, although analysts deem it late for effective protection in case of an attack.
Oleksandr Kharchenko, a Ukrainian energy expert, warned that if two nuclear switchyards were hit, Ukraine would face a significant energy supply shortage for weeks. The lengthy process of transporting and installing new equipment could exacerbate the situation, especially during the harsh winter months. Additionally, the nuclear switchyards are crucial for providing electricity to the nuclear plants from the offsite grid necessary for cooling reactors and spent fuel. A disruption in this process could pose a serious risk, as repeatedly cautioned by the U.N. nuclear agency amid the ongoing Russian attacks.
Lawmakers have called for the removal of Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko, citing the failure to protect these critical sites alongside alleged corruption and oversight shortcomings. The resolution condemning Haluschenko is pending approval by parliament. Recent Russian attacks in November and December have further highlighted the urgency to fortify the nuclear switchyards, as they came close to the operating reactors, forcing a reduction in power generation at five out of the nine reactors. Despite the attacks narrowly missing the nuclear switchyards, the need to bolster protection for energy transmission substations is evident.
Responsibility for fortifying critical power facilities, both nuclear and non-nuclear, was delegated to state and private companies under the supervision of the Energy Ministry. The fortification plan involved three layers of defense: sandbags, followed by cement barricades capable of withstanding drone attacks, and finally, the most expensive yet incomplete iron-and-steel-fortified structures.
In response to a government decree in July 2023, many state energy companies swiftly began contracting to build first- and second-layer fortifications for their essential power facilities. Despite repeated urgent calls from the government in the spring of 2024, Ukraine’s state nuclear company Energoatom delayed issuing contracts for building second-layer concrete fortifications until the fall. Meanwhile, Ukrenergo, responsible for managing high-voltage substations, had already completed 90% of its 43 sites.
The bidding process for fortifying two nuclear plants in Khmelnytskyi and Mykolaiv only commenced in early October, with the tender for the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant following at the end of November. Construction is not expected to be finished until 2026, according to contract documents.
Warnings about the delays were repeatedly raised in closed-door meetings and letters sent to energy officials over the past year, according to three current and former government officials who spoke anonymously to the AP. The Energy Ministry dismissed concerns, focusing on other projects, including lobbying for the construction of costly nuclear reactors.
Despite reassurances to Ukraine’s Western partners that all critical infrastructure was secured, delays persisted, leading to heightened fears of potential Russian attacks on nuclear facilities. In response to such threats, Ukraine called for an extraordinary session of the International Atomic Energy Agency in mid-December after attacks on electrical substations raised concerns about nuclear safety. The U.N. nuclear agency sent teams to assess the damage and vulnerabilities in Ukraine’s electrical grid following the attacks.
“Creating risks to nuclear safety,” warned Grossi about concerns at Europe’s largest Russian-held Zaporizhzhia plant. The presence of IAEA inspection teams led some in the Ukrainian government to believe their nuclear sites were safe from Russian attacks. A senior Ukrainian official, speaking anonymously, mentioned the belief that nuclear sites were off-limits for attacks, but this proved to be a major miscalculation. “Why didn’t they react?” questioned Kudrytskyi, the former Ukrenergo director, regarding the Energy Ministry’s slow response to warnings. The failure to act swiftly remains unanswered. AP writer David Rising in Bangkok contributed to this report.
