One of two reactors at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant complex has been shut down due to Russian shelling, operator Energoatom said on Thursday, 1 September, as reported by news agency Reuters.
«As a result of another mortar shelling by Russian forces at the site of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the emergency protection was activated and the operational fifth power unit was shut down,» Energoatom wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
Energoatom added that «power unit No. 6 continues to work in the energy system of Ukraine» and is supplying electricity for the power plant’s needs.
Due to shelling, a power supply line used for the plant’s needs was also damaged and auxiliary generators had to be activated.
Meanwhile International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission has set off from the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia towards the nuclear power plant in the Russian–controlled town of Enerhodar on Thursday, September, despite reports of intense shelling there, informs Reuters.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said the mission was aware of the increased military activity in the area, but was pressing ahead with its plan to visit the facility and meet its staff.
«There has been an increased military activity in the area. Having come so far, we are not stopping,» Grossi said.