العربية
6 February 2026 | Peace and Security
The ongoing war in Ukraine continues to pose serious risks to nuclear safety, as repeated attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure disrupt power supplies to nuclear facilities, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog has warned.
Grid strikes threaten nuclear operations
According to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi, recent military activity targeting Ukraine’s electrical grid has once again impacted nuclear power plant operations.
Over the weekend:
- Power lines connecting Ukraine to neighbouring countries were disconnected
- Electricity supply disruptions occurred across multiple regions
- One nuclear reactor unit automatically shut down due to grid fluctuations
- Other units reduced power output to maintain safety
At the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, the site of the 1986 disaster, offsite power was completely lost, forcing reliance on emergency diesel generators for roughly one hour.
Grossi described the situation as a reminder of the “ever-present risks to nuclear safety and security” caused by deteriorating grid conditions.
The Seven Indispensable Pillars
In March 2022, shortly after the invasion began, the IAEA established seven core safety principles to protect Ukraine’s nuclear facilities during armed conflict.
These include:
- Maintaining the physical integrity of nuclear facilities
- Ensuring reliable offsite power supply
- Protecting radiation monitoring systems
- Guaranteeing operational staff can perform duties without pressure
- Securing communication systems
- Protecting supply chains
- Ensuring emergency preparedness measures remain intact
Grossi called for maximum military restraint to allow essential repairs and to uphold these pillars.
IAEA inspections continue
As damage to the energy grid accumulates, three IAEA technical teams are conducting a two-week mission to inspect 10 substations critical to nuclear safety.
Their objectives include:
- Assessing ongoing infrastructure damage
- Reviewing repair progress
- Identifying ways to strengthen resilience of offsite power supplies
This is the second such mission in two months. A December inspection already confirmed the cumulative strain on plant operations and staff.
WHO Appeals to Protect Ukraine’s Health System
Alongside nuclear safety concerns, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a $42 million appeal for 2026 to support healthcare services for approximately 700,000 people.
Since early 2022:
- More than 2,800 attacks on healthcare facilities have been verified
- Repeated strikes on energy infrastructure have disrupted hospitals
- Nearly half the population reports mental health concerns
WHO aims to sustain:
- Emergency and trauma care
- Primary healthcare services
- Medical evacuations from frontline areas
Last year alone, WHO supported nearly two million people, including over 1,200 medical evacuations.
Dr. Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine, warned:
“Ukraine’s humanitarian health needs remain immense, and the pressure on the health system is not easing.”