The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine is once again disconnected from the external power grid, as reported by Ukraine’s Nuclear Energy Agency and occupying officials.
“Because the high-voltage line was cut off, NPP lost its external power supply,” Russian NPP administrators wrote on Telegram, adding that the cause for the connection loss is under investigation and that the NPP has been switched to reserve diesel generator power.
Ukraine’s Energoatom, meanwhile, reports that Russia has performed an attack, which is the reason for the loss of connection with the high-voltage power line.
The Ukrainian company reports this is the seventh time the NPP has been disconnected from the external grid since its been taken over by Russian forces.
Russian forces took over Zaporizhzhia NPP in March 2022. Ukrainian officials have been accusing Moscow of using the NPP as part of its nuclear blackmail against Ukraine and European member states ever since.
Energoatom reports the reserve generators have enough fuel to last for ten days.
“If external power supply is not restored soon, there could be an accident with radioactive consequences for the entire world,” Energoatom warns.
The governor of the neighbouring Dnipropetrovsk reports that last night Russian forces performed an attack with their air forces. Ukrainian anti-air defence managed to shoot down 15 UAVs and four cruise missiles. At least eight civilians were injured.
In the past Zaporizhzhia NPP provided 20% of Ukraine’s energy consumption and continued operating in the first months of the Russian invasion. In September, however, all energy production at this NPP ceased entirely.
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