There are fears of a potential crisis at a Ukrainian nuclear plant as Russia has halted the power supply to the region. External power to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia area has been disconnected for three days, raising concerns about the six-reactor facility in Ukraine. The power line into the plant from the Russian side was severed on Tuesday afternoon, and there is uncertainty about when it will be restored.
Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), expressed serious concerns about the situation at the plant. Despite meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, the power supply remains cut off. Experts believe Putin may be creating a crisis to strengthen his control over the disputed region, using the nuclear plant as leverage in negotiations.
While a nuclear plant can typically function without external power for 72 hours, the situation beyond that timeframe is untested according to Ukrainian sources. Russian forces took over the plant in March 2022, supplying electricity to around 4 million households. The Russian operators assured the IAEA that there is sufficient diesel to operate the generators for 20 days without needing additional fuel. However, Grossi remains worried about the risk of a nuclear accident.
Ukrainian officials are apprehensive about the possibility of overheating fuel in the reactors leading to a meltdown over several weeks. There are indications that Russia may be close to installing a new power line through occupied territories to address the impending crisis, even though they are seen as the instigators of the situation.
Putin pledged to support the IAEA’s work, possibly aiming to gain an advantage in the ongoing conflict following recent shifts in international support for Ukraine. The US President has voiced support for Ukraine’s efforts to reclaim lost territories, contrasting with the previous administration’s stance.
