Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Briefly Lost External Power, Chernobyl Shield Damaged Amidst Renewed Attacks
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine temporarily lost all external power supply overnight from Friday to saturday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported, citing Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. This marks the eleventh such incident at the plant since the start of the war.
The plant was reconnected to a 330 kilovolt (kV) power line after approximately thirty minutes, though a 750 kV line remained disconnected for a period before being restored. Russian management of the plant stated radiation levels remained within normal limits throughout the event.
the IAEA attributed the power outage to military activities impacting the Ukrainian electricity network, forcing active nuclear power plants to reduce output. Grossi reiterated his call for military restraint “to avoid a nuclear accident.”
Separately, the IAEA confirmed Friday that the protective arch over the damaged reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant has been compromised due to drone-related damage, rendering it unable to fully perform its protective function.
The incidents occurred as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced recent attacks, stating, “The russians’ objective is to make millions of Ukrainians suffer.”
