The Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant is on the brink of a blackout due to Russian shelling, with one of its power lines now disconnected.

On Tuesday, February 11, one of the two power lines supplying the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was cut off due to enemy shelling. The Zaporizhzhia NPP is once again on the brink of blackout due to Russian attacks.

This was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing the Ministry of Energy on Facebook.

According to the ministry, the power plant is currently connected to the Ukrainian energy system via only one power line. However, energy workers will be able to begin restoring power through this line as soon as the security situation allows.

"There is once again a real threat of blackout at the Zaporizhzhia NPP due to enemy shelling - one of the two power lines connecting the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP to the unified energy system of Ukraine has been disconnected again. Due to the station's occupation by the Russians, the situation at the ZNPP remains threatening, and only the return of Ukrainian control over the power plant can guarantee the safe operation of the largest nuclear facility in Europe," said Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.

Occupation of the ZNPP

The Zaporizhzhia NPP is the largest nuclear power station in Europe, under the control of Russian occupiers since March 2022. Russia continues to pose a threat to nuclear safety in Ukraine, Europe, and the entire world. The IAEA regularly calls on the Russian side to demilitarize the plant's territory, but the situation remains critical.

According to available information, the occupiers are placing military equipment and ammunition at the ZNPP site, which increases the risk of accidents. Additionally, they are conducting so-called "exercises" there, using the plant for military purposes.

We also recently reported that the IAEA postponed the rotation of its mission at the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP. This is due to the lack of security guarantees from Russia.