A nuclear research facility in Kharkiv temporarily lost external power following a Russian strike on a nearby electrical substation, Kyiv Post reported. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU) said that attacks targeting and destroying an electrical substation close to the subcritical Neutron Source Installation at the Kharkiv Institute of Physics & Technology (KIPT) resulted in its disconnection from the electrical grid and dependent on emergency diesel generators (EDGs) for a day.
Elsewhere in Ukraine, the IAEA team at the Chornobyl NPP reported that the site was disconnected from its 750 kV Kyivska transmission line for nearly 24 hours. SNRIU informed the IAEA that the cause of the disconnection was an attack targeting an electrical substation essential to nuclear safety and security. Although off-site power to the plant was not lost, this disconnection and subsequent fluctuations in the electrical grid automatically activated the EDGs supplying the New Safe Confinement and Interim Spent Fuel Storage Facility. The generators were manually switched off after 15 minutes.
“These episodes underscore how grid instability and the vulnerability of off-site power is affecting nuclear safety and security at Ukraine’s nuclear facilities,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
In recent weeks, the Agency has continued with deliveries under its comprehensive programme of assistance to Ukraine in nuclear safety and security. Helmets and body armour have been delivered to the KIPT National Science Centre, enhancing personal protection measures at the site. Beds and mattresses were provided to the Chornobyl NPP to improve staff living conditions under the medical assistance initiative. A high precision electrometer for radiation dosimetry was delivered to the National Scientific Center “Institute of Metrology” and telemechanic cabinets were delivered to the Joint Stock Company “Mykolaivoblenergo”.
Within the framework of the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to the Kherson Oblast (ISAMKO), advanced IT and laboratory equipment was provided to the Odesa Regional State Laboratory and two state-of-the-art gas chromatographs have been supplied to the Vinnytsia Regional State Laboratory and the Ternopil Regional State Laboratory. The deliveries were supported with funding from Italy, Japan, Norway, and the UK.
