Nuclear Threats in Ukraine Today and Their Implications for Global Security Tomorrow

The authors argue that the seizure of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and threats to the Chernobyl site demonstrate the extreme dangers of nuclear facilities in conflict zones. They suggest the United States must develop a strategy to provide alternatives to Russian nuclear exports, monitor how these events affect global public perception of nuclear energy's role in climate mitigation, and adopt a more holistic approach to risk assessment that incorporates extreme climate projections and converging security threats.

• Russian forces have taken control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which is the largest operating reactor site in Europe, and staff are being forced to continue operations under extreme stress.
• The United States should create a strategy to assist countries in pivoting away from Russia as a nuclear energy vendor, as Rosatom has approved projects in Egypt, Finland, Hungary, and Turkey, and is targeting the Philippines with small modular or floating reactors.
• There is a risk that attacks on nuclear sites in Ukraine could negatively shift public opinion on nuclear energy, potentially hindering global efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change.
• Nuclear infrastructure planning must move beyond conservative estimates to incorporate the highest climate impact projections and the convergence of multiple risks, such as sea level rise, political strain, and economic instability.

APA

Parthemore, C., & Rezzonico, A. (2022). Nuclear Threats in Ukraine Today and Their Implications for Global Security Tomorrow. The Council on Strategic Risks. https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2022/03/15/nuclear-threats-in-ukraine-today-and-their-implications-for-global-security-tomorrow/

Chicago

Parthemore, Christine, and Andrea Rezzonico. Nuclear Threats in Ukraine Today and Their Implications for Global Security Tomorrow. The Council on Strategic Risks, 2022. https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2022/03/15/nuclear-threats-in-ukraine-today-and-their-implications-for-global-security-tomorrow/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Parthemore |first1=Christine |last2=Rezzonico |first2=Andrea |title=Nuclear Threats in Ukraine Today and Their Implications for Global Security Tomorrow |publisher=The Council on Strategic Risks |date=15 March 2022 |url=https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2022/03/15/nuclear-threats-in-ukraine-today-and-their-implications-for-global-security-tomorrow/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{parthemore2022nuclear, author = {Parthemore, Christine and Rezzonico, Andrea}, title = {{Nuclear Threats in Ukraine Today and Their Implications for Global Security Tomorrow}}, publisher = {The Council on Strategic Risks}, year = {2022}, month = mar, url = {https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2022/03/15/nuclear-threats-in-ukraine-today-and-their-implications-for-global-security-tomorrow/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }