Ukraine and Russia Point Fingers After Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Offline for Days
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Diverging Reports Breakdown
Ukraine and Russia Point Fingers After Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Offline for Days
The Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been off the grid for four days, with both Ukraine and Russia accusing each other of attacking supply lines. Russia said the facility has been running on backup power since Tuesday, when it claimed Ukraine struck the grid. Experts warn it increases the risk of an accident.
Though blackouts at Europe’s largest nuclear facility are common due to its proximity to the front line, this is the longest outage so far. Experts warn it increases the risk of an accident.
“As a result of Russian actions, the Zaporizhzhia NPP has been without power for the fourth day,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said on X.
Russia said the facility has been running on backup power since Tuesday, when it claimed Ukraine struck the grid.
“Since Sept. 23, 2025, the power supply for the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been provided by backup diesel generators,” the Moscow-installed operator said on Telegram.
It added that there were “sufficient” reserves of diesel to operate “for an extended period,” without specifying how long.
“Emergency diesel generators are considered a last line of defense to be used only in extreme circumstances,” Greenpeace Ukraine said in a statement.
The NGO warned Moscow could use the crisis “to try and reconnect [the plant] to the temporary Russian-occupied grid of Ukraine” to restart one of the reactors.