Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (GUR) says it has detected Russian preparations for strikes on substations serving Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
Russian forces are considering shelling substations at Ukrainian nuclear power plants (NPPs) to disconnect reactor units from the national grid and leave civilians without heat and electricity.
The press service of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reported the likely preparations for strikes on NPP substations on January 17.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, as of mid-January Russian forces had conducted reconnaissance of 10 critical energy infrastructure facilities across nine regions.
“The Kremlin’s intention to attack substations to hybridly destroy generation at Ukraine’s NPPs once again demonstrates the genocidal nature of Russia’s war against Ukraine,” GUR said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky also said Russia is preparing attacks on facilities and networks that service nuclear plants, following a meeting with GUR chief Oleh Ivashchenko.
GUR warned that if substations are knocked out and NPP units are disconnected from the unified grid, Ukrainians could be “left without power and heat on a massive scale.”
Intelligence officials said Moscow’s aim in striking strategic energy targets is to pressure Kyiv into signing an unacceptable, capitulatory peace agreement.
They added the Kremlin also seeks to intimidate European and Western countries to erode support for Ukraine and weaken Ukraine’s air defenses against Russian air attacks on critical infrastructure.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said on January 16 that Ukraine and Russia agreed to a localized ceasefire near the Zaporizhzhia NPP. Ukrainian specialists are expected to begin technical work on the last backup power line soon.
Among the points of a peace plan developed with the United States and outlined by Zelensky on December 24 was joint operation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP by Ukrainian, American and Russian Zelensky noted that details have not yet been agreed.
