Rada supports purchase of Russian reactor for Khmelnitsky NPP from Bulgaria

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has supported the purchase of a Russian-made reactor from Bulgaria for use at the Khmelnytskyy nuclear power plant (NPP). This was reported by Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak on February 11.

"The authorities have given the go-ahead to the 'Big Nuclear Theft' and the embezzlement of $1 billion for a Russian reactor," the MP wrote in his Telegram channel.

He noted that the money, which was received after the rise in utility tariffs, could have been spent on needs within the state, but it will be transferred to Bulgaria. Zheleznyak specified that 261 deputies of the Rada voted in favor of the purchase of the reactor, including 190 representatives of the party of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (powers expired in May 2024) "Servant of the People".

Earlier, on December 11, 2024, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's post representative to international organizations in Vienna, said that the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) decided to hold an emergency meeting at Ukraine's request to discuss the instability of the country's energy infrastructure, which is critical for the safety of nuclear power plants.

The Financial Times reported on October 1 that the Ukrainian energy company Enerhoatom would not be able to attract the required amount of investment to replace reactors at nuclear power plants in the country. The reason was corruption scandals involving the organization. At the same time, the three operating Ukrainian power plants provide about half of the country's electricity generation.

American political scientist John Mirsheimer pointed out in an interview with attorney Glenn Greenwald on August 10 that since February this year, according to various estimates, Ukraine has lost from 50 to 90% of its power grid. According to him, this may lead to serious consequences for the country's residents during the cold season.