Sybiha announced the planned deployment after meeting IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in Warsaw, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, RBC Ukraine reported.
The discussions focused on the situation at and around the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, security threats linked to Russia’s militarization and measures needed to maintain nuclear safety.
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Sybiha welcomed the decision to send missions to the 19 substations, describing the move as a timely step toward protecting nuclear facilities amid Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
The substations are critical to supplying electricity needed for the safe operation of the country’s nuclear power plants.
The announcement follows previous disruptions to the external power supply at the Zaporizhzhia plant. In late August, the facility reportedly relied solely on diesel generators for more than a week after losing its external electricity connection. At the time, it had fuel reserves estimated to last around 10 days.
A separate local ceasefire took effect on June 5 near the plant to allow repairs to a power line and reduce the risk of a nuclear accident.
The IAEA has repeatedly highlighted the importance of maintaining reliable external power supplies to nuclear facilities to ensure their safe operation during the ongoing war.
