Russia strikes key substation linked to Ukraine's nuclear power plant
Photo: First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Russia has struck a critical substation that supports the operation of the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant. The attack poses a threat to nuclear safety across Europe, Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said following a meeting with ambassadors from the G7 countries, the EU and the NB8.
Russia hits substation supporting Khmelnytskyi NPP
Shmyhal briefed Ukraine's partners on today's massive Russian attack on the country.
"Russia deployed 289 drones, 17 ballistic missiles and 59 cruise missiles. Energy infrastructure was once again the main target, including power plants and electricity transmission and distribution substations," he said.
The minister noted that Russia directed three drones at a substation that is critical to the stable operation of the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant.
"These actions pose a threat not only to Ukraine but also to nuclear safety across Europe. This is a serious escalation, which we have reported to the IAEA," he said.
Shmyhal said Ukraine expects an appropriate response from its international partners to Russia's strikes on infrastructure essential to the stable operation of Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that Russia is planning to disable Ukraine's energy infrastructure and trigger a large-scale humanitarian crisis. Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa were identified as the main targets.
In addition, Russia has resumed attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, with power outages already reported in Kyiv and several other regions ahead of the heating season.
It was also reported that during Russia's massive attack on May 13-14, more than 160 drones were detected flying over the South Ukraine, Rivne and Chornobyl nuclear power plants.
