All Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plants Shut Down Due to Russian Missile Strikes... Power Outage Extends to Neighboring Moldova

Nuclear Reactors Shut Down One After Another Due to Power Grid Losses
Blackouts Occur Across Ukraine and Extend to Moldova

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russia resumed large-scale missile strikes across Ukraine, causing power grid losses and leading to the simultaneous shutdown of all operating nuclear power plants within Ukraine. As a result, massive blackouts have occurred not only throughout Ukraine but also in the neighboring country of Moldova, causing extensive damage.

According to the Associated Press on the 23rd (local time), Ukrainian state-owned company Energoatom announced that all three currently operating nuclear power plants have ceased operations due to the impact of Russian missile strikes. Fortunately, no damage to the reactors has been reported. Energoatom stated, "Due to power grid losses, nuclear plant operations are currently being maintained by emergency generators."

Consequently, power outages occurred in entire cities or parts of cities across Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, northern Kharkiv, western Lviv, Chernihiv, Kirovohrad, Odesa, and Khmelnytskyi.

Moldova, which receives some electricity from Ukraine, also experienced large-scale blackouts. Andrei Spinu, Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure, stated at a press conference that "more than half of the country is experiencing power outages."

Ukrainian state power operator Ukrenergo explained in a statement that "although missile attacks are still ongoing, energy infrastructure facilities have already been hit," adding, "emergency blackouts are occurring in all regions as a necessary measure to protect the power grid from further technical failures and to maintain the power system."

The large-scale blackout on this day was caused by Russia launching 67 missiles across Ukraine, targeting power infrastructure in a massive airstrike. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, reported via Telegram that "Russia launched 67 cruise missiles, of which 51 were shot down." It is also known that five unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) were deployed.

Casualties have also been reported. Oleksiy Kuleba, Governor of Kyiv, stated, "At least four people have died and 34 were injured due to the Russian missile strikes in Kyiv." Governor Kuleba urged citizens "not to panic," assuring that "electricity supply will resume in a few hours."

This Russian missile strike prompted the United Nations Security Council to decide to hold an emergency meeting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the Russian strikes and announced, "he plans to deliver a speech via video at the UN Security Council emergency meeting convened at Ukraine’s request to discuss the bombing incident."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.