Russians cause blackout at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant by striking power line – Ukrainian Energy Minister
A Russian strike on a power line connecting the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) to Ukraine’s unified energy grid has caused a blackout at the station, according to Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.
“This line allows the plant to sustain its own operational needs to ensure radiological safety,” Halushchenko stated.
Halushchenko noted that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the ZNPP has already experienced eight complete blackouts and has been on the verge of a blackout multiple times.
At 9:58 p.m., the Ukrenergo energy company stated that its specialists restored the high-voltage line. After several hours of forced reliance on diesel generators, the ZNPP is now receiving electricity from Ukrainian-controlled territory again.
“Several hours ago, the line powering the Zaporizhzhia plant was cut due to an emergency shutdown during a Russian shelling attack. Power engineers could not immediately begin emergency restoration work because of the high threat to their lives. The temporarily occupied station switched to power from its diesel generators, which are the last line of defense to ensure the operation of critically important systems for the nuclear power plant’s viability,” the statement reads.
Previously, ZMINA reported that during the Russian occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), at least 13 employees of the station had been illegally deprived of their liberty by Russian forces.
