Ukraine on Saturday accused Russia of disconnecting the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant from the Ukrainian grid for four days in an attempt to “steal” it by linking it to the Russian-controlled network, despite safety risks.
“We urge all nations concerned with nuclear safety and security to make it clear to Moscow that its nuclear gamble must stop,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said in a post on X.
Seized by Russian forces in March 2022 at the start of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, the plant, located in Energodar in southern Zaporizhzhia, is the largest in Europe.
Its six reactors are offline but require external electricity to remain cooled.
On Saturday, the plant’s operator, controlled by the Russian group Rosatom, confirmed that it had been without external power since Tuesday, with backup generators currently meeting its needs.
“Since September 23, 2025, electricity for the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has been supplied by diesel backup generators,” the operator said on Telegram.
According to the source, there are sufficient fuel reserves for “prolonged autonomous operation,” and reactor cooling is being fully maintained.
However, Ukrainian Minister Sybiga accused Russian operators of “ignoring all nuclear safety considerations” to “please their bosses in Moscow.”
He said, “Russia has built 200 kilometers of power lines in preparation for an attempt to steal the plant, connect it to the (Russian-controlled) grid, and restart it.”
He accused Moscow of “irresponsible actions” that have created “far too many nuclear risks” since the invasion began in 2022.
“But the Russian attempt to reconnect the plant could be the worst yet, posing the greatest risks. Moscow is trying to involve the IAEA in this venture and justify the theft of the plant,” Sybiga said, calling for the facility to be returned under Ukrainian control.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, visited the Kremlin on Friday and met with President Vladimir Putin during his trip to Russia.
On X, Grossi said he had discussed the “safety and security” of the Zaporizhzhia plant with Rosatom chief Aleksei Likhachev.
AFP
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