Ukraine’s Zaporizhzia’s nuclear plant ‘needs urgent protection’ as last power supply cut
‘Resumption of shelling is tremendously irresponsible,’ head of UN nuclear watchdog says
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is in need of “urgent protection” after fresh rounds of Russian shelling destroyed its last external power source, the UN’s nuclear watchdog has warned.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that the plant’s link to a 750-kilovolt line was cut at around 1 am Saturday. It cited official information from Ukraine as well as reports from IAEA experts at the site, which is held by Russian forces.
“The resumption of shelling, hitting the plant’s sole source of external power, is tremendously irresponsible. The Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant must be protected,” Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today.
Earlier on Saturday, Ukraine’s state nuclear company Energoatom said the plant was now getting power to cover its own needs from its backup diesel generators.
“The diesel generators started automatically. The available supplies of diesel fuel for their operation in this mode will be enough for 10 days,” the company wrote on Telegram.
According to the IAEA, six operators are “in cold shutdown” however, they still need electricity for vital nuclear safety and security functions.
Plant engineers have begun work to repair the damaged power line and the plant’s generators — not all of which are currently being used — each has sufficient fuel for at least 10 days, the IAEA said.
Zaporizhzhia is one of four regions that Russian president Vladimir Putin has annexed in violation of international laws.
While the nuclear plant has been under Russian control for months, the city of the same name remains under Ukrainian control. Putin signed a decree Wednesday declaring that Russia was taking over the plant.
Ukraine‘s foreign ministry called it a criminal act and said it considered Putin’s decree “null and void.”
It comes after Russian missiles hit a residential building in Zaporizhzhia on Thursday, killing at least three people while others lay in the rubble of their homes as they waited to be rescued by emergency services.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments