For the second time in a week, the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is facing a potential blackout due to Russian shelling.
The strikes have severed one of the plant’s two remaining power lines, leaving it connected to the grid by only a single line, according to Ukraine’s Energy Ministry.
“If the last line is disconnected, another full blackout will occur at the Zaporizhzhya station,” the ministry warned.
Power engineers are prepared to begin repairs as soon as the security situation allows.
“Once again this week, the Zaporizhzhya NPP faces a serious threat of a blackout due to Russian attacks. Today, the IAEA Board of Governors is meeting in Vienna. We demand the immediate and full implementation of the resolution to return the occupied plant to Ukrainian control. This is the only way to ensure the safe operation of the Zaporizhzhya NPP,” Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko stated.
- The Zaporizhzhya NPP has been under Russian occupation since the early days of the full-scale invasion. Throughout this time, Russian forces have jeopardised global nuclear safety by staffing the plant with their personnel, triggering explosions on-site, and causing fires.