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2h ago

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Hits Fifth Day on Emergency Generators as Power Cut Drags On

Kyiv warns Moscow is using the blackout to justify reconnecting the occupied plant to Russia’s grid.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy talks during his press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
THIS IMAGE WAS DIRECTLY PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY AND HAS NOT BEEN VETTED FOR EDITORIAL ACCURACY BY THE AP EDITORIAL TEAM. THE IMAGE MAY CONTAIN REFERENCES THAT DO NOT ADHERE TO AP’S EDITORIAL STANDARDS CONCERNING THE CONFLICT IN UKRAINE. AP ALSO CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY, THE DATE, LOCATION OR CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH IT WAS SHOT. 8774246 27.09.2024 A view shows reactor buildings of the Zaporizhzhia (Zaporozhye) Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) amid Russia's military operation in Ukraine, in Energodar, Zaporozhye region territory, that has accessed Russia. Konstantin Mihalchevskiy / Sputnik via AP
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Overview

  • The IAEA says the loss of external electricity increases the likelihood of a nuclear accident, and Director General Rafael Grossi met Vladimir Putin this week as the outage continued.
  • The site has exceeded the 72-hour stress-test assumption, with Russian operators telling the IAEA diesel reserves could last about 20 days and seven of 18 generators currently providing cooling.
  • Ukraine and Russia trade blame for the damage that severed the final power line on Sept. 23, leaving the six-reactor facility reliant on backup power.
  • Greenpeace Ukraine’s satellite analysis points to about 125 miles (200 kilometers) of new lines in occupied territory and other preparations that could enable a reactor restart, which the group warns is high risk.
  • Ukraine condemned the IAEA’s presence at a Moscow nuclear forum as a new report by Truth Hounds and Greenpeace Ukraine alleges Rosatom’s complicity in detaining and torturing ZNPP staff, escalating safety concerns.