Kathrine Frich
Before the war, Zaporizhia supplied around 20 percent of Ukraine’s electricity.
Before the war, Zaporizhia supplied around 20 percent of Ukraine’s electricity.
Zelensky warns of ‘critical’ nuclear risk at Zaporizhia
President Volodymyr Zelensky has sounded the alarm over what he calls a “critical” situation at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.
In his latest nightly address, he revealed the plant has been disconnected from Ukraine’s power grid for seven straight days — the longest outage since the war began.
“Seven days have passed. This has never happened before,” he said.
Europe’s largest nuclear plant runs on emergency power
The Zaporizhia plant is currently operating only on diesel generators.
These backup systems are intended as a last resort and not designed for long-term use.
Zelensky described this setup as a “threat to everyone,” as the facility relies on stable electricity to power cooling systems and prevent a nuclear incident.
Diesel generators under strain, says Kyiv
Adding to concerns, Zelensky stated there are “problems with one of the backup diesel generators.”
If these systems fail, there would be no way to regulate the plant’s temperature, raising fears of a potential reactor meltdown.
Such a failure could result in widespread radioactive contamination.
Russia and Ukraine trade blame over blackout
Both Kyiv and Moscow have blamed each other for the latest power failure.
Russia claims the outage was caused by Ukrainian attacks on infrastructure, while Ukraine says Russian air strikes are stopping technicians from repairing vital power lines.
The dispute shows no signs of resolution.
Russia blocks repairs, says Zelensky
Zelensky has accused Russian forces of deliberately sabotaging restoration efforts.
“Due to Russian attacks, the power plant has been cut off from the electricity supply and the power grid,” he explained.
He also said Moscow is “obstructing the repair” of the damaged infrastructure.
Plant has faced constant threats since early occupation
The Zaporizhia nuclear plant has been under Russian control since the early days of the invasion in 2022.
The site has been hit repeatedly by shelling and drone strikes. It’s also close to the front line, making it a constant target and increasing the risk of collateral damage.
Nuclear safety systems rely on constant power
Even though the reactors have been shut down, the facility still requires electricity to cool fuel rods and keep control systems running.
Any prolonged loss of power could lead to equipment failure. Without functioning cooling, there’s a serious risk of overheating and radioactive leaks.
International community grows increasingly concerned
Nuclear watchdogs and international agencies have previously warned about the fragile state of Zaporizhia.
Despite various inspections and calls for demilitarisation, no concrete agreements have been reached.
The longer the site remains unstable, the greater the potential consequences for Europe.
A key part of Ukraine’s energy system offline
Before the war, Zaporizhia supplied around 20 percent of Ukraine’s electricity.
Since Russia seized control, the reactors have been shut down, and their future remains uncertain.
The loss of such a major energy source continues to strain Ukraine’s national grid, especially heading into winter.
Shadow of Chernobyl haunts the region
The threat of nuclear disaster at Zaporizhia evokes strong memories of Chernobyl.
While the circumstances differ, experts warn that a full-scale incident could result in similar long-term environmental and health consequences.
The site must remain stable to avoid another catastrophe on European soil.
Energodar remains on edge
The plant is located near the town of Energodar, which remains under Russian control but close to active combat zones.
Residents and workers there live under the daily threat of attack, power cuts, and radiation exposure.
The safety of both the facility and its staff remains a pressing concern.
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, which may have used AI in the preparation
