Russia Deliberately Orchestrates Energy Crisis at Zaporizhzhia NPP, Threatening Europe
On September 24, Ukrainian energy experts and representatives of “Energoatom” issued alarming news: Russian occupying forces are systematically hindering the restoration of electricity supply to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which remains under Russian control.
According to reports, for the second consecutive day, the largest nuclear power station in Europe has been operating solely on diesel generators due to the loss of external power.
This situation results from deliberate actions by Russia, which refuses to reconnect ZNPP to Ukraine’s energy grid after damage to power lines caused by Russian shelling.
On one hand, this creates a catastrophic situation for Ukraine; on the other, it poses a serious risk to all of Europe, as worsening conditions could trigger far-reaching consequences.
An expert from “Ukrenergo” confirmed that the section of the power line under Ukrainian control functions properly, and there are no technical reasons to disable the connection.
Yet, Russian forces intentionally delay the reconnection, spreading misinformation and blocking access to critical energy resources, putting millions of lives at risk and risking nuclear accidents.
The international community is urged to intensify diplomatic pressure on Russia to restore control to the legitimate owner — “Energoatom.” Diesel generators used at ZNPP are meant only for emergency situations and cannot sustain long-term nuclear plant operations; their failure could lead to severe safety breaches.
Experts warn that without prompt national and international measures, the situation could spiral out of control, threatening not only Ukraine but the entire European continent, where millions could be exposed to radiation risks due to the aggressor’s actions.
Since the station’s occupation, September 23 marked the tenth blackout, highlighting the critical severity of the region’s energy crisis.
The Ministry of Energy emphasizes that this persistent disconnection is a direct consequence of repeated shelling and infrastructure damage, hampering the station’s stability.
Urgent steps are needed to increase pressure on Russia and to achieve the immediate de-occupation of Zaporizhzhia NPP, preventing nuclear or radiation catastrophe.