Ukraine war briefing: Russian attacks on substations are nuclear terrorism', says Ukraine

"Russia has carried out targeted strikes on such substations, a ministry statement issued late on Friday said. Deliberate strikes on civilian energy facilities that directly affect the safe operation of nuclear installations bear the hallmarks of nuclear terrorism and constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law, it added."

"The foreign ministry referred to a statement issued on Thursday by the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, reporting military activity that has led to damage to substations critical to nuclear safety and security in Ukraine. The IAEA statement reported incidents near two nuclear plants South Ukraine and Khmelnitskyi that led to each plant losing access to an external power line. A third station at Rivne had been forced to reduce power at two of its four reactors, the IAEA statement adds. It gave no indication of which side might have been behind the incidents."

"Civilian life on the frontlines in Ukraine is becoming a battle for survival, with attacks on energy infrastructure threatening to spark a major winter crisis, the UN warned Friday. Matthias Schmale, the UN's humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, said civilians were increasingly bearing the brunt with the approach of the fourth winter since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022."

Targeted strikes have damaged substations that provide external power to Ukraine's nuclear power stations, jeopardizing the safe operation of reactors. Ukraine's foreign ministry described attacks on civilian energy facilities affecting nuclear installations as bearing the hallmarks of nuclear terrorism and a grave violation of international humanitarian law. The IAEA reported incidents near South Ukraine and Khmelnitskyi that caused loss of external power lines and said Rivne reduced power at two reactors; the IAEA did not attribute responsibility. The UN warned of a worsening humanitarian situation and winter energy crisis. G7 energy ministers condemned attacks and pledged support. Ukrainian forces landed special forces in parts of Pokrovsk.

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