Nuclear power Attacks on grid 'raise the risk of catastrophe'

Ukraine's power network is at "heightened risk of catastrophic failure" after Russia's missile and drone attack on Sunday, Greenpeace has warned, raising fears about the safety of the country's three operational nuclear power stations.

- Dan Sabbagh

The strikes by Moscow were aimed at electricity substations "critical to the operation of Ukraine's nuclear plants" - and there is a possibility that the reactors could lose power and become unsafe, according to a briefing note prepared for the Guardian.

Shaun Burnie, nuclear expert at Greenpeace Ukraine, said: "It is clear that Russia is using the threat of a nuclear disaster as a major military lever to defeat Ukraine. But by undertaking the attacks, Russia is risking a nuclear catastrophe in Europe comparable to Fukushima in 2011, Chornobyl in 1986 or even worse."

The pressure group called on Russia to immediately halt its attacks on Ukraine's energy grid and for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to deploy permanent monitors in substations critical to the country's nuclear plants. The IAEA conducted one inspection in late October, but has not committed to return.

Though Greenpeace is an independent organisation, it maintains contact with Ukraine's government. Official Ukrainian sources contacted by the Guardian acknowledged Greenpeace's technical analysis of the crisis.