Ukraine Demands Deoccupation as Zaporizhzhia NPP Operates in Emergency Mode

The Ukrainian Minister of Energy has called on the international community to increase pressure on Russia to de-occupy the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, which has been operating on diesel generators for the second day due to damage to the power line. 

The Gaze reports on it, referring to a statement made by the Minister of Energy of Ukraine, Svitlana Grinchuk, on Facebook.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), the largest in Europe, has been in a blackout for the second day due to damage to the only power line supplying the plant. As a result, the ZNPP is operating on diesel generators, which is a significant violation of normal operating conditions.

This is the tenth blackout at the plant since its occupation by Russia more than three years ago, although Ukraine continues to supply electricity to the facility from its own energy system.

The Minister noted that during the 69th IAEA General Conference in Vienna, a resolution was adopted calling for the immediate de-occupation of the ZNPP and its return to full Ukrainian control. The document was supported by 62 member states and provides for the withdrawal of all unauthorized military and other personnel from the plant.

“The international community must finally take decisive action—it is necessary to increase pressure on the Russians for the fastest possible demilitarization and de-occupation of the plant,” the Minister said.

She stressed that returning the plant to Ukraine’s control is the only way to restore nuclear safety in the region.

“Delay is unacceptable. The safety of Europe's largest nuclear power plant is the safety of the whole world,” she concluded.

The Gaze reported earlier that a Russian missile strike on Zaporizhzhia on August 10 damaged the External Crisis Center of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), a facility critical to monitoring radiation levels in the region.