Ukraine Reports Blackout at Chernobyl NPP Due to Russian Attack

On Tuesday, Ukraine’s Energy Ministry announced that a blackout at the notorious Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station (NPP) occurred following an attack by the Russian air force. President Volodymyr Zelensky shared during a late-night video address that Russia’s strike also knocked the Zaporijazia NPP offline for a week.

“Today is the seventh day without power at Zaporizhzhia. The situation is serious,” Zelensky noted, emphasizing the impact of Russian artillery fire that has disconnected plants from the power network. He added, “The generators and plants aren’t made for this and have never been used in such a manner for this long. We’ve already received word that one generator has failed.” He specifically mentioned the diesel generators, which are crucial for providing emergency power to the reactor and keeping it cool.

“This poses a threat to everyone. What’s happening to our nuclear facilities goes beyond typical terrorist actions, and it’s crucial that the global community recognizes this,” Zelensky said.

The Zaporizhzhia facility boasts six reactors, earning it the title of the largest NPP in Europe. It has been under Russian occupation since the early stages of the invasion.

Currently, Zaporizhzhia isn’t generating electricity, but it requires power to maintain control over the reactor. Regular cut-offs have triggered alarms within Ukraine’s power grid. Both the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have cautioned that fighting near such facilities could lead to nuclear disasters.

Both nations frequently accuse each other of targeting the Zaporizhzhia facility, whether deliberately or through reckless missile and artillery fire in the vicinity. Each side suspects the other might be attempting to stage a “false flag” operation that could escalate to a nuclear accident, thus trying to blame the other.

IAEA Director Rafael Grossi stated on Tuesday that he remains in “continuous contact” with officials from both Russia and Ukraine to facilitate a prompt reconnection to the plant’s power grid.

“The facility is currently relying on an emergency diesel generator as a last resort. While this seems to be working for now, it’s not a sustainable situation concerning nuclear safety,” Grossi warned.

He expressed discontent with both parties for not allowing technicians to conduct necessary maintenance at ZNPP. Zelensky countered this criticism on Wednesday, asserting that the Russians have done nothing to repair the plants under their military control.

“Russia is, unfortunately, intentionally creating a risk of radiological accidents, compounded by the IAEA’s lackadaisical approach and dispersed global attention,” Zelensky alleged.

Additionally, Ukraine’s Energy Ministry indicated that the Russian attack on the “energy infrastructure in the town of Slavutich” initiated an emergency at Chernobyl by causing a blackout.

“The new safe confinement, a vital structure that isolates the fourth unit damaged during the Chornobyl disaster, has lost power. Its function is to prevent radioactive materials from escaping into the environment,” the ministry stated on Wednesday.

The new safe confinement (NSC), an immense metal structure erected following the 1986 explosion that caused a catastrophic nuclear incident, has been managing radioactive waste. It’s essential for its safety systems, which also require electricity.

On Thursday, the Energy Ministry revealed that power had been restored in Chernobyl, noting, “Everything is functioning normally today.”