Photo: Ministry of Energy
Russian troops attacked a substation, cutting off the power supply to the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). The plant is currently on the brink of a blackout.
This was reported by the Ministry of Energy.
«Another act of nuclear terrorism: Russia attacked a substation and cut off the power line to the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP.»
As a result of the attack, one of the power lines to the occupied ZNPP was de-energized. Power engineers are now working to repair the damage caused by the shelling and restore full power supply to the plant as quickly as possible.
«Another act of Russian terrorism has created the risk of an accident at the occupied ZNPP. We demand the immediate implementation of the IAEA resolution and the return of the plant to Ukrainian control. The safe operation of the ZNPP is only possible under Ukraine’s management,» – said Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko.
On the evening of August 11, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russian forces had started a fire at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) observed «thick, dark smoke» rising from the northwestern part of the ZNPP and heard a series of explosions that evening.
Later, Energoatom explained the likely causes of the fire at the plant.
Speaking on Hromadske Radio, Ludwig Lytvynsky, a professor and nuclear energy expert, stated that nothing «serious» had occurred.
«Nothing super-critical happened. There is no need for serious concern. The cooling tower where the fire started is located more than a kilometer away from the nearest power unit, so the events do not affect any nuclear components or technologies.»
The professor added that the fire in the cooling tower was intentionally set.
«To start a fire, something must be ignited. It’s clear that this fire was artificial—you either have to bring something there or use a flammable substance to start it.»
He remarked:
«Russians are like monkeys with grenades; you can expect anything from them.«
In September, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi visited the Russian-occupied ZNPP for the fifth time.
His visit focused on the damage caused by the fire at one of the cooling towers in early August. He also inspected the water pumping station and the storage facility for fresh fuel rods.
«We can see the remains of the building destroyed by the fire. Until now, we haven’t been able to access the tower to fully assess the damage,» Grossi said.
He added that the building is unusable and will likely be demolished.
The IAEA published a report on its website summarizing two years of efforts to prevent an accident at the Zaporizhzhia NPP. The report details drone strikes and damage to power lines, as well as the presence of armed military personnel at the site.