Speaking at the IAEA Board of Governors, Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko said that Russia poses a direct threat to the world's nuclear safety. He also pointed out that the massive Russian attack on November 17 damaged, in particular, substations key to the operation of Ukrainian nuclear power plants. UNN reports this with reference to the press service of the Ministry of Energy.
Details
The minister noted that nuclear power plants located and operating on the territory controlled by Ukraine are currently under threat. The attack on November 17, when Russia launched more than 120 missiles and 90 drones, damaged energy infrastructure, including substations that are key to the operation of Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
“This attack demonstrates Russia's calculated and systematic efforts to undermine the safe operation of our nuclear facilities,” Galushchenko emphasized in his speech.
“This war undermines international law and poses a significant threat to nuclear safety. It is unacceptable that not only Ukraine, but the entire European region is under threat,” Galushchenko added.
Supplement
Vladimir Putin's approval of the updated principles of Russia's nuclear strategy has sparked a lively debate among experts and politicians around the world. The document refers to the expansion of the conditions under which Russia can use nuclear weapons. This applies to both nuclear and non-nuclear attacks if they threaten the sovereignty or territorial integrity of Russia or its allies. In addition, the aggression of any member state of a military coalition against Russia will be regarded as an attack by the entire coalition.
The update of the doctrine took place amid reports that the United States allowed Ukraine to use long-range weapons to strike at Russian territory. Moscow has repeatedly responded with harsh statements, emphasizing that such actions could be seen as direct involvement of NATO countries in the conflict in Ukraine.