zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Disconnected from Grid,Kyiv and Moscow Trade Accusations
KYIV/MOSCOW – Ukraine’s state nuclear company Energoatom claimed Wednesday that Russian forces have disconnected the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant from the Ukrainian power grid,raising fears about the plant’s safety and the potential for a nuclear accident. Moscow, in turn, accused Ukrainian forces of shelling areas around the plant, risking its operational integrity.
the disconnection follows weeks of heightened concern over the plant,Europe’s largest nuclear facility,wich has been under Russian control since early March. Energoatom stated the plant’s emergency protection systems were activated, shutting down its reactors. While the plant is disconnected from the grid, it still relies on external power for cooling systems essential to prevent a meltdown.
“The disconnection of the plant from the power grid is a direct result of the actions of the occupiers,” Energoatom alleged in a statement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to the accusations, stating that Ukrainian troops are conducting strikes in the vicinity of the plant, potentially causing a catastrophe. ”The shelling by the ukrainian side doesn’t stop,” Putin said, adding that Russia is doing everything it can to ensure the plant’s safety.
The International atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly called for a demilitarized zone around the Zaporizhzhia plant and dispatched a team of experts to assess the situation on the ground. IAEA Director General rafael Grossi has warned of a ”very real risk” of a nuclear accident.
The situation unfolds against the backdrop of the European Union’s efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy. The European Commission presented a roadmap in May 2024 aimed at ending imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027, seeking to prohibit new contracts this year and phase out existing deliveries within two years. In 2024, Russia still supplied 19% of the EU’s gas, with nearly half of that delivered as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
This latest advancement at Zaporizhzhia underscores the escalating risks associated with the conflict in Ukraine and the potential for wider regional consequences. The plant’s precarious situation highlights the urgent need for international intervention to ensure its safety and security.
