TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Ukraine nuclear plant without power after Russian strike

The disruption came during a fresh wave of Russian strikes across Ukraine which killed at least nine people and led to power outages across the country.

AFP
Kyiv, Ukraine
Thu, March 9, 2023

Share This Article

Change Size

Ukraine nuclear plant without power after Russian strike In this file photo taken on April 27, 2022 shows a general view of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, situated in the Russian-controlled area of Enerhodar, seen from Nikopol. Russian occupation authorities at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant said on August 7, 2022, a strike by Ukrainian forces damaged administrative buildings inside the complex. Zaporizhzhia -- Europe's largest atomic power complex that was occupied by Russia early in its offensive -- has in recent days been the scene of military strikes that have damaged several structures, forcing the shutdown of a reactor. (AFP/Ed Jones)

U

kraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been left without electricity supply following a Russian strike and is running on diesel generators, the Ukrainian nuclear energy operator said Thursday.

The disruption came during a fresh wave of Russian strikes across Ukraine which killed at least nine people and led to power outages across the country.

"The last power line between the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP and the Ukrainian power system was cut off as a result of rocket attacks," Energoatom said.

The operator said it was the sixth time that the facility had been disconnected from the electricity grid since Russian forces captured the plant last year.

The plant is being powered by diesel generators, which can provide the facility's energy needs for 10 days, Energoatom added.

"The countdown has begun. If it is impossible to renew the external power supply of the station during this time, an accident with radiation consequences for the whole world may occur," Energoatom said.

Russian authorities that control the plant said diesel generators had been switched on following a "short-circuit" on power lines, without providing details. 

"There are enough fuel reserves to ensure the operation of generators," they said in a statement, adding that all safety and security issues at the plant were in order. 

Moscow's troops seized the plant on March 4, 2022, just days after invading Ukraine.

Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of shelling around Zaporizhzhia, the biggest nuclear facility in Europe.

The UN's nuclear agency IAEA deployed observers to the plant in September and is seeking to negotiate a demilitarised zone near the facility, but talks appear to have stalled.

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.