Zaporizhzhya NPP on the verge of blackout again due to Russian shelling
The Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant (ZNPP), which has been in a constant war zone since the beginning of the Russian occupation, is again on the verge of a blackout due to enemy shelling.
on 21 October 2024, one of the two transmission lines feeding the plant was disconnected. As a result, ZNPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, is now powered by only one line, which poses a significant threat to its safe operation.
According to the Ministry of Energy ofUkraine, the disconnection of the second line will put the plant at risk of a complete blackout, which could lead to serious consequences for radiation safety. In case of a complete loss of external power supply, an emergency system will be activated to maintain the operation of key NPP systems, but its resources are limited.
Ukraine's power engineers are ready to immediately restore the power line as soon as the safety situation allows repair work to be carried out. However, as the Energy Ministry emphasises, in order to ensure full safety and stable operation of the plant, it is necessary to return control over ZNPP to Ukraine.
The seizure of ZNPP by Russian troops in March 2022 has created an unprecedented situation for global nuclear safety. Constant shelling and hostilities in the area of the plant increase the risks of a possible nuclear catastrophe, which raises serious concerns for the international community.
We previously reported that Russian occupation forces have begun using the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) to train FPV drone pilots, who then launch strikes on the Ukrainian city of Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region. This poses a serious threat both to the safety of the nuclear plant itself and to civilians in the region.
The use of ZNPP territory for military purposes not only endangers the nuclear facility, but also violates international norms and rules of engagement. Russian troops are covered by critical infrastructure, which complicates any attempt to retaliate against their positions, as attacks near the nuclear plant could lead to catastrophic consequences.
Turning the ZNPP into a military base and launching attacks from its territory is highly provocative and increases radiation safety risks. The international community continues to express concern about such actions, which could lead to a nuclear catastrophe in the event of serious damage to the plant's infrastructure.