Four Ukrainian reactors reduce output after Russian attacks, IAEA says

Three Ukrainian nuclear power plants, Khmelnytskyi, Rivne, and South Ukraine, lost connection to their dedicated high-voltage transmission lines following Russia’s massive attack on November 19, resulting in four of the nine reactors reducing electricity generation.

This is stated in the IAEA’s November 19 update on the situation in Ukraine, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

“Two of the plants – Khmelnytskyy and Rivne – had already lowered production of electricity as a result of military activities earlier this month. Today, both facilities reduced production further after they each lost the connection to one of their high-voltage power lines,” the statement reads.

It is noted that IAEA teams stationed at these two plants were also forced to shelter during the morning air-raid alerts.

“The country’s third operating NPP, South Ukraine, also lost its connection to a high-voltage power line. The plant reported detecting 11 drones overnight, one kilometre from the site,” the statement adds.

According to the IAEA, four of the nine reactors at Ukraine’s nuclear power plants reduced electricity production as a result of these Russian attacks, which further destabilized the power grid.

As reported, the day before, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that the Khmelnytskyi and Rivne nuclear power plants had been operating at reduced capacity for nearly two weeks due to damage from Russian attacks on electrical substations that are critical to nuclear safety.