Ukraine’s plans to buy nuclear reactors in Bulgaria are under hybrid attacks from Russia
19 February 08:49
The agreement on Ukraine’s purchase of nuclear reactors from Bulgaria, which is to be considered by the Bulgarian parliament, is facing opposition from pro-Russian political forces, supported by systematic Kremlin disinformation about the deal itself. Dr. Steven Blank, a senior fellow at the Institute for Foreign Policy Studies, wrote about this in an article for the American edition of RealClearDefense, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.
According to the expert, in an effort to discredit the deal, the pro-Moscow Renaissance party (Vozrazhdenie) submitted a resolution to the Bulgarian parliament that blocks the transfer of two VVER-1000 nuclear reactors to Ukraine, which Bulgaria purchased for the unrealized Belene NPP project. At the same time, according to Stephen Blank, disinformation is being repeated that Khmelnytsky NPP units 3 and 4, for which these reactors are being purchased, will be dangerous when using nuclear fuel from the American company Westinghouse. However, this company has officially confirmed, after extensive research, that reactors from the Bulgarian NPP can safely operate on American fuel.
Other Russian disinformation claims that Ukraine does not need large new nuclear power units and that Ukraine does not have trained personnel to operate nuclear reactors. Both, as Dr. Stephen Blank emphasizes, are categorically false. According to him, Ukraine needs new nuclear capacities and the completion of Khmelnytsky NPP reactors 3 and 4 would help to compensate for the damage caused by Russian attacks.
As for the nonsense that Ukraine cannot maintain this equipment, Stephen Blank notes that there are more than 5,000 highly qualified nuclear engineers in the country who can ensure the full and safe operation of the Khmelnytsky NPP.
In other words, Stephen Blank emphasizes, under the influence of Russia, its political satellites are conducting a campaign of outright disinformation and lies in Bulgaria to hinder the revival and economic stability of Ukraine.
As you know, on February 11, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada authorized the purchase of two nuclear reactors from Bulgaria.
In an interview with LB live, Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko explained that the Verkhovna Rada only authorized the purchase of reactors from Bulgaria, and the adopted bill states that within six months the government must submit a new feasibility study, finalize and adopt a law on a construction permit. The recent decision of the Ukrainian parliament was necessary because the permit issued by the Bulgarian parliament for the sale transaction expires in March. Bulgarian MPs do not plan to extend it.
The minister also said that according to preliminary estimates, the completion of the reactors for KhNPP will cost the budget UAH 160 billion. Currently, the readiness of the third unit of Khmelnytsky NPP is up to 80%, and the fourth unit is up to 30%. Their completion has been frozen for several decades. If the plant is completed, it will become the most powerful in Europe.
