Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Back On Emergency Power After Russian Shelling

The nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia in southern Russia has been disconnected from the Ukrainian power grid after the latest Russian shelling, reports United Press International.

Ukrainian state-run energy agency Energoatom said Russian shelling late Wednesday damaged the last two high-voltage power lines connecting the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) to the Ukrainian power grid.

The power plant has been under Russian control since shortly after Moscow’s unprovoked invasion in February.

While the six nuclear reactors have been shut down, the plant needs power for cooling and safety operations, said Energoatom.

The NPP has 20 diesel generators that can keep it running in a safe mode for 15 days.

The Russian occupation and interference by Rosatom officials has hindered the ability of Ukrainian authorities to maintain the Zaporizhzhia NPP safely, Energoatom said.

Rosenergoatom officials said that work was underway to connect the power plant to the Russian power grid, claiming that the facility was “already an integral part of Russia.”