Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy system risk nuclear disaster: human rights experts
Their warning comes amid growing international concern about the vulnerability of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, which rely on a stable power grid to maintain critical safety systems.
“Russia’s latest large-scale missile attack on Ukraine’s power system has resulted in further significant damage to electrical substations that are essential for the operation of plants,” experts emphasized. Ukraine’s nuclear power”.
Heavy damage, civilian casualties
The attacks occurred overnight and are believed to have caused severe damage, power outages and civilian casualties. The timing of this attack adds to concerns as Ukraine enters the winter months, when electricity demand is typically high.
This latest attack comes despite previous warnings from the 13 Rapporteurs and the United Nations Special Working Group, who officially contacted Moscow on October 22 about banning the attacks. such attacks under international humanitarian law.
Furthermore, the attacks occurred despite previous arrest orders from authorities. International Criminal Court (ICC) in June 2024 against senior Russian government officials specifically related to strikes targeting Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure.
Adding to concerns about nuclear safety, United Nations human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine major civilian damage was recorded from these long-range attacks on the power system.
Concerns about the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
Experts also reiterated credible allegations that Russian forces had threatened, arbitrarily detained, enforced disappearances and tortured personnel at Europe’s largest nuclear energy facility, the Power Plant Zaporizhzhia nuclear (ZNPP).
“Related to have lost two-thirds of its generating capacity, further damage to Ukraine’s power system could lead to blackouts, increasing the risk of nuclear reactors becoming incapacitated,” experts warn. access to the grid to power their safety systems.”
They warn that such a scenario could cause a nuclear disaster potentially surpassing even the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi accident in Japan and the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine.
While the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has agreed to expand its mission to Ukraine to include inspections of electrical substations, but progress has been limited.
“Despite the urgency of the situation, the full implementation of the expanded monitoring mission has not yet been announced by the IAEA,” experts noted. Only one mission was completed in October 2024 and no further missions are scheduled.
Prevent attacks, prevent risks
The experts concluded: “We reiterate our urgent call to the Russian armed forces to immediately stop attacks on power generation plants, transformer stations, transmission lines and distribution and other energy infrastructure of Ukraine, while preventing the risk of nuclear disaster.” action to prevent catastrophic consequences.
Independent experts are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor and report on country-specific situations or thematic issues. They work on a voluntary basis, are not employees of the United Nations and do not receive a salary for their work.
Hostilities are ongoing
Meanwhile, the United Nations Office of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA speak Attacks and fighting across Ukraine continued over the weekend and on Monday
According to local authorities and UN partners on the scene, the attacks caused many casualties, including children, and caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, especially in Kharkiv, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia.
OCHA quoted local authorities as saying that due to the damage, nearly 150,000 families as well as hospitals, schools and businesses are now without heating in the Dnipro and Ivano-Frankivsk areas, where temperatures have dropped below zero degrees. C.
Humanitarian organizations mobilized quickly and provided emergency assistance in Kharkiv and Odesa, among other affected areas, providing food, repair materials and psychosocial support.
