Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sounded the alarm over a critical situation at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which has been disconnected from the Ukrainian power grid for seven days – the longest outage since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
In an evening address on September 30, Zelensky said the plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, is now operating solely on diesel generators to sustain essential safety systems, following Russian attacks that destroyed external power lines. One backup generator has already failed, highlighting the unsustainable risk posed by the prolonged outage.
“No terrorist in the world has ever dared to do to a nuclear plant what Russia is doing right now,” Zelensky stated, accusing Russia of deliberately blocking repair efforts by shelling Enerhodar, the city on the Dnipro River where the plant is located.
Moscow, which has controlled the plant since 2022, claims it is supplying emergency power and blames Ukraine for damage to the grid. While all six reactors remain offline, electricity is vital for cooling systems to prevent a potential nuclear disaster.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed ongoing contact with both sides, noting that reliance on diesel generators is a “last line of defense” and cannot sustain long-term nuclear safety.
Zaporizhzhia has long been a focal point of nuclear safety concerns, including shelling, chronic power cuts, and operational challenges under Russian occupation. Zelensky warned that this prolonged outage represents a dangerous escalation with implications far beyond Ukraine’s borders.
