Description: Rafael Grossi, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Ukraine’s Energy Minister German Galushchenko have visited the Kyiv power electrical substation amid recent attacks from Russian forces. He warned that Ukraine’s power grid is seriously threatened by disruptions as the nuclear power facilities could pose significant risk if there are longer power outages in the country. Grossi is also set to meet with Russian representatives in Moscow in open – channel talks in order to ensure nuclear safety in the region as the war continues on.
Impact: With the intensifying aerial attacks by Russian forces, Ukraine’s nuclear power plants are significantly threatened. The IAEA’s presence on the ground indicates higher levels of concern regarding the prevention against possible nuclear disasters in the region. Both Ukraine and Russia target each other’s energy capacities but possible attacks on atomic and nuclear power plants could spell global disaster. IAEA should be expected to closely monitor and enhance its presence among the frontlines, while Russia and Ukraine should be warned off against further attacks on nuclear and atomic power stations. As the war is in a stalemate, both sides would look to gain certain degree of leverage in case hypothetical peace talks are facilitated, in which case attacks on critical infrastructure are expected to rise and the threat of atomic or nuclear levels of disaster to significantly rise.