Moscow’s intensified assaults on Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure this winter have raised serious concerns regarding the Ukrainian Energy Ministry’s inadequate measures to safeguard critical energy facilities, particularly those located near nuclear power sites. Current and former officials in Kyiv have highlighted a troubling lack of action despite ongoing warnings about the vulnerability of these sites to potential Russian attacks.
Over the past two years, relentless Russian strikes on Ukraine’s power grid have forced the country to rely on nuclear energy for more than half of its electricity generation. The nuclear switchyards, which are essential for transmitting power from the reactors to the national grid, remain particularly exposed. These switchyards play a crucial role in powering homes, schools, and hospitals, and any military strikes against them could have catastrophic consequences for civilian life and energy resilience.
Marcy R. Fowler, head of research at Open Nuclear Network, emphasized the importance of these switchyards, noting that military attacks could severely disrupt electricity supply and compromise the stability of the energy grid. Alarmingly, only after Ukrainian intelligence agencies issued warnings about potential Russian strikes did the Energy Ministry begin to take action to fortify these critical sites—action that many analysts believe came too late.
Energy expert Oleksandr Kharchenko warned that if two switchyards were to be hit, Ukraine could face significant energy shortages, with a potential blackout lasting from 30 to 36 hours and a recovery period extending up to three weeks. He stated that the installation of replacement equipment would take three to five weeks, which would be particularly dire during the harsh winter months.
Moreover, these switchyards are vital not only for power distribution but also for supplying electricity to nuclear plants, which is crucial for cooling reactors and spent fuel. Disruptions in this supply could lead to severe safety risks, a concern echoed by the U.N. nuclear agency since the onset of Russian attacks in August.
Despite the heightened risks, the Energy Ministry has faced criticism for its slow response. Lawmakers have called for the removal of Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko, citing his failure to protect energy infrastructure and allegations of corruption. Russian strikes in late 2022 came alarmingly close to nuclear power plants, prompting fears of a nuclear emergency.
The responsibility for fortifying energy transmission substations, including nuclear switchyards, has fallen on both state and private companies, with the Energy Ministry overseeing the efforts. In July 2023, a government decree mandated the construction of protective barriers, but progress has been uneven. While state energy companies moved quickly to implement basic fortifications, Energoatom, the state nuclear company, only began bidding for more substantial protections this fall.
Concerns about these delays have been voiced repeatedly in meetings and official communications over the past year. Former Ukrenergo head Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, who was dismissed in September, has criticized the Energy Ministry’s lack of urgency in addressing these vulnerabilities.
As Ukraine’s Western allies provided assurances that critical infrastructure was secure, the reality on the ground painted a different picture. The Energy Ministry and Energoatom did not respond to inquiries regarding these issues, highlighting the sensitive nature of the situation.
In recent months, Ukraine has raised alarms about potential Russian attacks on nuclear infrastructure, culminating in an extraordinary session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in December. The IAEA has sent teams to assess damage at key nuclear sites, warning that ongoing attacks jeopardize the stability of the electricity grid and the safety of nuclear operations.
The failure to act swiftly in the face of these threats has left many questioning the Energy Ministry’s priorities and its ability to protect Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure from further harm.