The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported this Thursday that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, located in Ukraine and controlled by Russia since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022, has again suffered the total loss of its external electrical connection after an attack on a substation located on the banks of the Dnieper River.
According to the IAEA, this episode, the nineteenth of similar characteristics since the war began, was confirmed around 9:00 p.m. (local time) on Wednesday on the Feroplavna-1 line, while preparations were underway to repair the main power line -- the Dniprovska -- which has remained disconnected since February 24.
"Operating with only one power line in operation leaves the plant extremely vulnerable to conflict-related power grid interruptions, such as the one we experienced again today," the agency said in a statement disseminated on social media.
The IAEA further specified that "currently, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant relies on emergency diesel generators to power the cooling of its six shut-down reactors and maintain other essential nuclear safety functions."
Along these lines, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stressed that this new interruption of external supply "underscores the extreme fragility of the power grid and the constant nuclear safety dangers during the war," and therefore reiterated his call for "restraint" to "avoid a nuclear accident."
The plant's administration, under Russian control, stated in a statement that the complex experienced "a total blackout" following the failure of the aforementioned line, which forced the activation of backup diesel generators to sustain operational functions.
"The equipment operated normally and no failures were detected in the safety systems," indicated the plant management, emphasizing that "the plant's personnel are monitoring the operating parameters of the equipment" and that "all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of the generation units."
Likewise, it has assured that "the radiation levels at the plant and in the observation zone are within natural limits and do not exceed established standards". The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe, remains under permanent surveillance: "The situation is being continuously monitored by plant specialists," the administration added.
Russian authorities have repeatedly blamed the Ukrainian Armed Forces for attacks against the plant and its surroundings, including one recorded last week, when a Ukrainian projectile hit the turbine building of Unit 6 of the complex, warning of the danger of a possible nuclear accident. Kyiv, for its part, attributes responsibility for these incidents to Moscow.