Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Operates on Emergency Generators for Fifth Consecutive Day
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine is continuing to rely on emergency generators for its core cooling systems for a fifth day, raising ongoing concerns about the facility’s safety amid continued fighting in the region. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) staff are rotating through the plant to monitor safety and provide technical expertise, as attacks have occurred nearby due to the proximity of the front line.
Ukrainian President volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Saturday a considerable weapons agreement with the United States, valued at $90 billion, with technical discussions slated to begin later this month. The package encompasses both a major arms deal and a separate agreement for the U.S. to directly purchase Ukrainian-made drones.
“We discussed and agreed on the main points with the President (Trump). Now we are moving on to practical implementation,” Zelenskyy stated, adding that Ukraine has provided detailed military needs to the U.S.,including requests for long-range weapons systems.
Zelenskyy also leveled criticism at Hungary regarding drone activity over Ukrainian territory, stating Ukrainian intelligence tracked at least one drone. “I believe they are doing very risky things - very dangerous things,first and foremost for themselves,” he said,noting intelligence services have documented the drone’s movement through photographic and electronic tracking,though details of what “Hungarian intelligence is studying on the territory of Ukraine” were not disclosed.
Hungarian Foreign minister Peter Szijjarto responded Friday on Facebook, claiming Zelenskyy “lost his mind” and was “seeing things.” Hungary, under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has maintained close ties with Russia and has been critical of military aid to Ukraine.
In addition, Zelenskyy revealed that an Israeli Patriot air defense system has been operational in Ukraine for the past month, with two more systems anticipated to arrive this fall.”The Israeli (Patriot) system is operating in Ukraine. Already a month, it’s been working for one month,” he said, declining to elaborate further. Israel’s Defense Ministry has not commented.