In Ukraine, tensions are escalating as accusations mount regarding the vulnerability of nuclear facilities amidst Russian bombardments this winter, leading the nation dangerously close to a catastrophic blackout.
The focus has shifted to Energoatom, Ukraine’s state-owned atomic energy company, and Energy Minister German Galushchenko, who are being criticized for their alleged failure to prepare the nuclear sector against Russian strikes during the harsh winter months.
Experts and various Ukrainian lawmakers argue that Energoatom took insufficient measures to safeguard its nuclear facilities, despite clear directives from the government and reforms aimed at increasing funding. They claim that Galushchenko did not exert enough pressure on the firm.
Instead of prioritizing defense, Energoatom has been advocating for the expansion of a new nuclear plant, which many lawmakers believe does little to address the immediate need for energy security.
This issue is critical for Ukraine, where nuclear facilities contribute significantly to the country’s electricity supply, especially after extensive damage to the energy infrastructure caused by Russian bombings.
With the ongoing conflict, Ukraine is perilously close to facing a disastrous outage this winter. In November, the country had to lower output at one of its nuclear plants due to missile attacks. Intelligence reports from Kyiv indicate that Russia may launch further strikes targeting essential nuclear infrastructure.
Lawmaker Anastasiya Radina, who chairs Ukraine’s parliamentary anti-corruption committee, described the delay in bolstering protections for nuclear plants as “hardly explainable.” She labeled the nuclear expansion project as “ridiculous” and expressed her intention to support a parliamentary inquiry into the situation, questioning, “What were you doing this whole time?”
Galushchenko has strongly denied allegations that Energoatom did not implement adequate protections, asserting that necessary measures are in place to guard key infrastructure. He claimed, “Everyone who said that nothing is protected in the nuclear fleet — that is a lie.”
Ukraine is currently enduring its most challenging winter since the onset of Russia’s invasion nearly three years ago, with repeated air strikes decimating coal plants and the largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia, under occupation. Consequently, the country is heavily reliant on its three remaining nuclear plants — Khmelnytskyi, Rivne, and Pivdennoukrainsk — which now account for 60 percent of Ukraine’s electricity supply.
Experts caution that targeting infrastructure near reactors, such as distribution devices and switchgears, could easily force these plants to shut down. Such attacks could lead to widespread blackouts lasting up to 20 hours until repairs are made.
Despite the ongoing threats, Energoatom reportedly made little progress in addressing these vulnerabilities. Following Russian air attacks that led to reactor shutdowns as early as fall 2022, the company prioritized other construction projects, such as new power units at a hydropower plant, based on the assumption that military actions would not damage nuclear plants.
Yuri Nikolov, an investigative journalist, suggests that Energoatom’s reluctance to engage in complex protective constructions stemmed from a misplaced hope that Russia would refrain from attacking equipment near nuclear power plants.
In March, the Ukrainian government ordered all state-owned energy firms to enhance protections for critical infrastructure. This typically involves sandbags, metal cages, and concrete shells to shield against missile strikes. Other firms, like grid operator Ukrenergo, have been following these protocols for some time.
However, Energoatom only initiated its first procurement contracts for robust protective equipment six months later, in late September, according to Oleksandr Kharchenko, head of the Energy Industry Research Center. These contracts included concrete structures to protect distribution systems near reactors.
Kharchenko noted that there was “no reason” for the delay, emphasizing that the plants currently lack adequate defense this winter. Galushchenko contended that Energoatom had ordered protection outside the public contract system and that the September contracts were for additional construction beyond what was mandated.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Ukraine’s government nearly doubled electricity tariffs last June to help fund essential repairs to its energy infrastructure while easing Energoatom’s obligations to subsidize household bills. This move could yield up to €900 million in savings for Energoatom, allowing the company to achieve profitability in 2024.
Meanwhile, Energoatom has pursued the expansion of the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant, a project estimated to cost over €10 billion and take more than eight years to complete if approved, which Kharchenko describes as “not viable” during wartime. The Kyiv parliament shares this view, as a bill approving the expansion remains stalled after months of deliberation.
Accountability and Oversight
The situation surrounding the exposed reactors has intensified scrutiny on Energy Minister Galushchenko.
While he officially has limited authority over the state-owned firm, his previous role as vice president of Energoatom raises questions about their current relationship. Analysts argue that Energoatom would not act without the minister’s approval.
Galushchenko has denied any unofficial ties to the company, claiming these allegations are part of a targeted campaign by oligarchs aiming to remove him.
Despite Energoatom’s inaction on infrastructure protection for months, Galushchenko has dismissed concerns about the nuclear facilities’ vulnerability. He reportedly acknowledged, during a private meeting with energy experts, that protective structures were not constructed around critical components like switchgears but insisted, “the Russians will not shell them.”
However, after intelligence revealed Russian plans to target reactors, he promptly reached out for EU support to defend Ukraine’s nuclear plants, emphasizing the potential severe consequences of disruptions to normal operations.
President Zelenskyy reiterated the urgency of the situation in a recent speech at the U.N. General Assembly, underscoring that any attack on the energy system could lead to a nuclear disaster.
For Galushchenko, any incident could jeopardize his position. Some opposition lawmakers have initiated proceedings to dismiss him due to “systemic corruption in the energy sector” and his failure to safeguard essential infrastructure, although this effort is unlikely to succeed without broader support.
Lawmakers within Galushchenko’s own ruling party have also refrained from defending him, suggesting that if he and Energoatom’s CEO cannot fulfill governmental tasks, they should face dismissal.
