VIENNA, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine's operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) have reduced electricity production as a precaution following military activities reportedly targeting the country's energy infrastructure over the weekend, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Sunday.
The nuclear power plants, Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine, "were not directly impacted and did not shut down," but several electrical substations of the plants suffered damages of different extent during the strikes, the IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in a statement, citing information from Ukraine's national regulator.
Grossi stated that only two of the nine operational reactors at the three nuclear facilities are currently generating electricity at full capacity.
"The country's energy infrastructure is extremely vulnerable, directly impacting nuclear safety and security," the IAEA chief said, reiterating the importance of nuclear safety during the conflict.
The IAEA currently has expert teams stationed at all of Ukraine's NPPs to help maintain nuclear safety and security, according to the agency. ■