Threat to Ukraine’s Energy Security: Ongoing blackout at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
Ukraine is facing a critical point in its ongoing conflict as the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been operating on backup diesel generators for nearly three weeks, raising serious concerns about energy security.
President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized in his evening address that the plant has been without stable external power for an extended period, relying solely on reserve generators, which poses a significant emergency.
He highlighted that Ukraine possesses the capacity and resources to repair electrical lines and ensure the plant’s safety, but ongoing Russian shelling and infrastructure destruction hamper these efforts.
Zelensky stressed that only Ukrainian specialists can guarantee the safety and stable operation of the station, while the international community and IAEA need to take more decisive and transparent actions.
He called on global partners to intensify pressure on Russia to stop attacks on critical energy infrastructure and restore safety.
The President also discussed the situation with international allies and urged for increased efforts to prevent further escalation.
According to Zelensky, Ukrainian control and professional expertise are the ultimate guarantees of safety, and ongoing Russian aggression aims to distract and compensate for setbacks on the battlefield through air strikes on energy facilities.