A nuclear power plant located in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, controlled and surrounded by Russian forces, has lost external energy, according to the UN nuclear control chief.
In a statement on Wednesday, International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi said all external energy needed for vital safety systems was cut off for the second time in five days.
The outage at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is “a deeply worrying development,” he said.
This photo, taken on September 11, 2022, shows a general view of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
(STRINGER / AFP via Getty Images)
Nuclear safety and protection equipment is kept operational by backup diesel generators.
RUSSIAN MISSILES ROCK ZAPORIZHIZHIA AS THE UKRAINIAN FORCES ADVANCE IN THE “ATTACHED” REGIONS
Russia maintained a presence in Zaporizhzhia for several months and said it was determined to maintain a foothold in the region – and on the nuclear power plant – following a separatist-backed local referendum to join Russia.
“The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is now located in the territory of the Russian Federation and, consequently, it should be operated under the supervision of our relevant agencies,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin, via the Russian media RIA.
The captivity of the nuclear power plant poses a significant risk to the surrounding area and to the world, Ukrainian officials said.
PUTIN ORDERS THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT TO PURCHASE THE ZAPORIZHZHIA NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN UKRAINE FOLLOWING THE ANNEX
Last week, Russia formally annexed the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is seen as the Russian presence in the nuclear power plant continues.
(Metin Aktas / Anadolu Agency)
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The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. It is in the top ten largest in the world.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
