The “Neutron Source” nuclear installation in Kharkiv lost power following an attack on an electrical substation. The IAEA warned of risks to nuclear safety due to unstable power supply.
This was reported by the IAEA.
According to the agency, during the night of March 11–12, an attack destroyed an electrical substation near the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology, leaving the facility disconnected from the power grid until March 13.
During the outage, the facility relied on emergency diesel generators.
The IAEA noted that these events highlight the vulnerability of energy infrastructure, which is critical for nuclear safety.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said that grid instability and risks to external power supply are affecting the safety of nuclear facilities in Ukraine.
The agency also reported other power-related incidents, including at the Zaporizhzhia and Chornobyl nuclear power plants.
At Chornobyl, the site was temporarily disconnected from one of its transmission lines following an attack on a substation, which triggered the automatic activation of diesel generators.
The IAEA stressed that such incidents demonstrate the fragility of the power supply system and its importance for the safe operation of nuclear facilities.