Chornobyl Nuclear Plant suffers full external power cut due to Russian attack, IAEA says

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi says that this morning, January 20, several Ukrainian electrical substations vital to nuclear safety were affected by a large-scale Russian attack.

He adds that the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant lost all external power supplies, and power lines to other nuclear power plants were also affected.

"The IAEA is actively following developments in order to assess impact on nuclear safety," Grossi says.

Yesterday, analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Russia is trying to divide Ukraine's energy system and create energy islands cut off from electricity production and supply.

Before that, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine warned that Russia was seeking to disconnect nuclear power plants from Ukraine's power grid, leaving Ukrainian civilians without electricity and heat.

Russian strikes on Ukraine

On the night of January 20, Russia launched a new massive combined attack on Ukraine with strike drones and various types of missiles.

Explosions were heard in many regions. Russians targeted critical infrastructure, among other things, which led to interruptions in electricity, heat, and water supply.

Damage to residential buildings and transport was also reported, and there were casualties among the civilian population.

In Kyiv, after Russia's night attack, thousands of homes were left without heating in freezing temperatures of -15 degrees.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force reported how many Russian missiles and drones they shot down.

Russian troops used updated tactics during a night attack on Ukraine and deployed missiles manufactured in 2026.

Find more details on the Russian combined attack on Ukraine.

Read also about the Russian attack on Kyiv in RBC-Ukraine's report.