Europe Asia News

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), Europe's largest nuclear power facility, had once again lost its external electricity supply. Sybiha stated that the plant had been deprived of external power for the 16th time this year, drawing attention to the risks to nuclear safety.

In a statement shared on social media, Sybiha noted that nuclear safety at the Russian-controlled plant had once again become dependent on emergency diesel generators and that existing fuel reserves were sufficient for approximately two weeks of limited operation.

Sybiha alleged that Russia continued its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and stated that Russian control of the plant posed a serious nuclear safety risk across Europe. Arguing that Moscow had turned nuclear safety into an instrument of pressure, Sybiha warned that the consequences of Russia's actions would not be limited to Ukraine.

Sybiha expressed appreciation for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi and his team's efforts to maintain nuclear safety at the plant. He also claimed that Russia was the sole source of the safety risks and problems affecting the plant's energy supply.

Sybiha called for sanctions against Russia's state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom, arguing that the only sustainable solution for the long-term safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was its return to Ukraine, the plant's lawful owner and operator.