Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant's supply line damaged in Russian shelling: Ukraine

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukraine on Wednesday said the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant's energy supply line was damaged due to shelling by Russian forces.

"After another attack by the Russians, the line that provided the energy supply to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear station was damaged," Ukraine's power grid operator Ukrenergo said in a statement.

The statement said the operator's specialists established the damage inflicted and are carrying out emergency and restoration work -- but depending on the security situation and with the permission of the Ukrainian army due to ongoing military operations in the area.

It further said the connection between the plant and Ukraine's energy system is currently maintained by only one power line.

"The total bandwidth of high-voltage networks of 'Ukrenergo' is sufficient to cover the available demand," the statement also said.

It added that a total of 358 settlements remain without electricity in the morning due to the conflict and other reasons.

Russian authorities have not yet commented on the shelling.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the biggest in Europe and among the 10 largest in the world, has been under Russian control since early 2022.

Since then, fears of a nuclear catastrophe have persisted as both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of shelling near the plant.