There are currently 416 operational nuclear reactors worldwide, with 66 more under construction. There isn't a publicly available, comprehensive list of nuclear reactors located within five miles of military targets worldwide.



While reactors may not be primary targets, the chaos of a nuclear conflict could still put them at risk.

Proximity to Military Bases: Some nuclear reactors are near military installations, especially research reactors used for defense-related studies.

Historical Targeting: Nuclear facilities have been targeted in conflicts before, such as the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.



The number of reactors that would be damaged in a global nuclear war would depend on various factors, including the locations of strikes, the intensity of the conflict, and the resilience of nuclear facilities. Many reactors are built with robust containment structures designed to withstand extreme events, but a direct hit or widespread infrastructure collapse could lead to significant damage.

A widespread infrastructure collapse refers to the failure of essential systems that support modern society, including power grids, transportation networks, communication systems, and water supplies.

Historical events, such as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, have shown how infrastructure failures can exacerbate nuclear crises. In a global conflict scenario, the scale of destruction would be far greater, potentially leading to multiple reactor failures worldwide.

A global nuclear war could have catastrophic consequences for nuclear reactors and the infrastructure required to maintain their safe operation. Here’s why:

Direct Damage to Nuclear Reactors

  • Explosions & Shockwaves: A direct hit from a nuclear weapon could destroy reactor containment structures, leading to massive radiation leaks.

  • Fire & Heat: Extreme temperatures from nuclear detonations could compromise reactor cooling systems, increasing the risk of meltdowns.

  • Electromagnetic Pulses (EMPs): Nuclear explosions generate EMPs that can disable electronic control systems, making reactors impossible to manage remotely.

Infrastructure Collapse & Indirect Failures

  • Power Grid Failures: Nuclear reactors rely on external electricity to maintain cooling systems. Widespread blackouts could lead to overheating and meltdowns.

  • Water Supply Disruptions: Reactors need continuous water flow for cooling. Contaminated or disrupted water sources could lead to dangerous overheating.

  • Transportation Breakdown: Without functioning roads and supply chains, nuclear facilities would struggle to receive fuel, maintenance, and emergency response.

  • Communication Failures: Coordination between nuclear operators and emergency responders would be severely hindered, delaying critical interventions.

Long-Term Consequences

  • Radiation Contamination: Damaged reactors could release radioactive material, making large areas uninhabitable for decades.

  • Food & Water Contamination: Fallout could poison agricultural land and water sources, leading to long-term health crises.

  • Economic & Social Collapse: The destruction of energy infrastructure would cripple economies, making recovery nearly impossible.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine has already demonstrated the risks of nuclear facilities in conflict zones. A global nuclear war would amplify these dangers on an unprecedented scale.

Immediate Effects

  • Massive Radiation Release: A direct hit on a nuclear reactor would breach containment structures, releasing radioactive material into the atmosphere.

  • Fire & Explosion: Reactors contain large amounts of nuclear fuel and coolant. A strike could trigger explosions and fires, worsening the disaster.

  • Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Disruptions: If the attack includes high-altitude detonations, EMPs could disable reactor control systems, leading to uncontrolled meltdowns.

Wider Consequences

  • Nuclear Fallout: Radioactive debris would spread over vast areas, contaminating land, water, and air.

  • Environmental Catastrophe: Radiation poisoning could make entire regions uninhabitable for decades.

  • Global Panic & Economic Collapse: The destruction of energy infrastructure would cripple economies and disrupt global supply chains.

Nuclear Weapons Effects Simulator and Models – Nuclear Weapons Education Project




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