Excellent today in NYTimes: jUkrainian battle to keep lights on under Russian attack. Incl our comments on the role of the IAEA missions to substations.
The grid is also needed to maintain cooling of nucl fuel at the nucl plants and avoid their nucl meltdown. www.nytimes.com/2024/12/21/w...
Our video of visit to region close to Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant with testimonies of citizens of the Russian aggression & their resistance. We are honored to work with them on sanctions on Rosatom and an end to the illegal Russian occupation of the ZNPP. On youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cZE...
Our new Column of today in Ukrainska Pravda on Russia's dirty maneuvers with the IAEA : www.pravda.com.ua/eng/columns/...
Overview of the Russian attack on Ukraine tonight and this morning, including its electricity infrastructure
Such IAEA mission needs more than a short visit of a couple of hours to the substations after they have been damaged, like in the week of 21 October. That would be unacceptable. This is not the moment to have photo-opportunities. The IAEA presence needs to be serious and on a more permanent basis.
2. IAEA DG Grossi got a mandate yesterday 12th from the Board of Governors to to immediately take additional measures if risks arise to prevent a nuclear accident.
1. immediate reaction needed from the world, not only to condemn RU but also announce stricter sanctions and increased support for UA. RU's desperate strategy is to look strong while it is weakened and this needs to be countered
What to do after tonight's RU attack with 200 UAVs and 93 missiles (both cruise and ballistic)?
on tonight's attack: nv.ua/ukr/ukraine/...
Happening right now, Fri 13 Dec 09.30 UA. New wave of missile attacks on electr system after 17 & 28 Nov. RU showing desperation after the vote in the IAEA Board o Gov where only 2 voted against UA's resolution. Ukraine urgently needs all support to protect itself & EUR
Interesting step to push Grossi to do something. The risk is now that IAEA/Grossi will announce another one-off visit to UA substations, like the ones of 12Sep and week of 21Sep, which would be window dressing, especially if announced. Why is Grossi so afraid of the Russians and not doing his job?
Significant that a UN body is criticising the IAEA not doing its job: “Despite the urgency of the situation, full implementation of an expanded monitoring mission had yet to be announced by the IAEA,”
excellent statement by UN Human Rights experts on the Russian attacks on Ukrainian electricity system and the nuclear risks: news.un.org/en/story/202...
Its with unbelief that I read, both from (extreme) right and (far) left that Ukraine is "escalating" the war. Have a look at the map of the RU 17 Nov attack and systematic attacks on critical civil infrastructure of UA with long-range drones and missiles at least since Oct 2022
Our press release of 20 Nov. Some optimism: it seems that the diplomatic pressure on IAEA to get the job done is gaining momentum. Despite RU bullying the IAEA to stay home, threatening to kick IAEA observers out of the Zaporizhzhia NPP greenpeace.at/cee-press-hu...
Our message in media following RU wave of missiles on 17 Nov, targetting substations in UA to MAHATE (IAEA): do your job! Get with your staff to the substations. RU will not attack MAHATE, because RU needs MAHATE for its global nuclear export strategy (e.g. Akkayu in Türkiye, Paks in Hungary,...)
The dark strategy of Russia seems:
- since Oct 2022: attack grid infrastructure
- attack main hydro, coal and gas plants
- make UA very dependent on the 3 operational nucl plants
- 17 Nov: target key substations needed for nucl safety
- dont attack nucl plants directly
- if nucl accident: blame UA
One possible scenario is that of a longer system-wide blackout (see below). Another one is of severe damage to substations serving one of the 3 nuclear plants, needing long repair of weeks or even months. Backup electricity systems at the nuclear plant might not last that long
And this is a map with our interpretation of some of the substations in Ukraine that are most critical for nucl safety. Given the already weakened infrastructure and difficulties to re-route electricity flows, the list of such substations is getting longer...
