On the Brink of Disaster: Who Is Undermining Ukraine’s Nuclear Safety?

Source: Author’s Facebook page

While the GUR warns of imminent Russian attacks on Ukraine’s domestic nuclear facilities, it is clear that billions spent on safeguarding the infrastructure have failed to ensure its full protection.

If nothing is done, Ukraine could end up in total darkness. t.

Russia is once again following its most cynical scenario—attacking the energy sector and aiming to cripple the very “backbone” of Ukraine’s power system. The State Security Service recently warned that the Kremlin is considering strikes on Ukrainian nuclear power plant substations, which could disconnect the plants’ units from the national energy grid.

The goal is simple—and reprehensible: to plunge Ukraine into a total energy blackout. According to intelligence, by mid-January 2026, Russian forces had already conducted reconnaissance of ten critical infrastructure facilities across nine regions. Unfortunately, it does not appear to be mere speculation.

The GUR also highlights a second objective: to exert pressure on Europe and the West. Russia traditionally manipulates the nerves of democracies according to a simple principle: “You don’t interfere with us, and we won’t create problems for you.”

At the same time, the Kremlin seeks to reduce Ukraine’s ability to defend itself from air terror, reducing it to a state of constant emergency survival when everything goes to patching holes. And this picture has been de facto confirmed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: the risks are not theoretical but quite practical.

Now, the big question: What have we done in nearly four years of full-scale Russian aggression and attacks on our critical infrastructure?

The readiness of protective structures at nuclear power plants ranges from 60% to 90%. Billions of hryvnias have been spent on this. But such “readiness” is a form of self-deception. It’s like a bulletproof vest with solid holes instead of plates…

Here, the question of responsibility is unavoidable: the previous management of Energoatom and the leadership of the Ministry of Energy effectively sabotaged systematic efforts to protect nuclear facilities.

And it was not only the nuclear sector—the media have previously reported extensively on the failures in safeguarding hydroelectric facilities as well.

We are once again witnessing a classic of the Ukrainian state genre: the money has been spent, the reports have been written, but the problems remain. And the “readiness” is from 60 to 90%…

Another question arises: if real protection was never implemented (and it appears that it wasn’t), then why was there a need to spend (and in fact steal) billions at all? Is this real defense or an imitation of defense? Or is it banal theft…?

The reaction of those responsible can also be predicted in advance: “It was unexpected,” “We didn’t expect it here,” and “We did everything possible,” they say.

Nuclear scientists, officials, and leaders will always find the right words when it’s too late. Instead, society needs not words but decisions before the strike, not after it.

Questions also arise about the Verkhovna Rada’s specialized committee on the fuel and energy sector. Where are all these so-called “controllers,” like Andriy Gerus? Where is their public, concrete, and uncompromising

After all, criticizing on air is one thing, but making the system work is quite another.

The same applies to the many investigative commissions on which People’s Deputy Oleksiy Kucherenko is publicly promoting himself. Their actual effectiveness raises serious questions. And verbosity does not help.

The scariest thing in this story is not even Russia’s actions. Their actual effectiveness raises serious questions.

And, unfortunately, no one wants to draw the conclusion that such an irresponsible approach leads to disaster.

Also, follow “Pryamyi” on Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram.

• Materials published in the “OPINIONS” section reflect the opinion of the author of the publication, who bears full responsibility for the accuracy of the information.
• The editorial staff of prm.ua may not share the opinions expressed in the author’s material.
• The owner of the webpage in the “OPINIONS” section is the author of the publication.