The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine lost its off-site power supply for the 21st time since the Ukraine crisis, as reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The outage was caused by military activity triggering electrical protection systems on transmission lines. Emergency diesel generators were activated to maintain essential nuclear safety functions.
The IAEA Director General, Rafael Grossi, emphasized the critical need for military restraint to prevent nuclear accidents. Drone attacks were condemned for causing damage to a fire station supporting emergency response at the plant. The facility’s operational capacity was significantly affected, impacting its ability to respond to emergencies effectively.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, one of Europe’s largest nuclear facilities, has faced multiple disruptions in its external power supply since the escalation of the Ukraine crisis. The IAEA team on-site confirmed damage to the fire station in the nearby city of Enerhodar, crucial for emergency response. Grossi stressed that any attack compromising nuclear safety and emergency readiness is unacceptable.
