Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant hit by second blackout in days
Photo: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (Getty Images)
The Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) lost external power again on August 4. Power was successfully restored almost an hour later, according to Ukraine's National nuclear energy generating company Energoatom.
Another blackout at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
On August 4, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant once again lost its external power supply. As a result, the facility operated for about an hour on backup diesel generators, which are used to ensure nuclear and radiation safety during power outages.
Power was restored at 2:20 p.m. local time.
A similar incident occurred just a few days earlier, on August 1, making this the second loss of external power at the plant within a short period.
Growing nuclear safety concerns
According to Energoatom, this was the 12th blackout at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant since the beginning of 2026 and the 24th since Russian forces occupied the facility.
That means half of all complete losses of external power recorded during the occupation have occurred this year alone.
Energoatom warned that every loss of external power poses a direct threat to nuclear and radiation safety.
The company described Europe's largest nuclear power plant's dependence on diesel generators as unacceptable and said it highlights the critical risks created by Russia's illegal occupation of the facility.
Energoatom also stressed that the plant can only be operated safely after it is returned to the full control of Ukraine and its lawful operator, JSC NNEGC Energoatom.
Since Russian forces seized the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine says the site has been used for military purposes. According to Ukrainian authorities, Russian troops have stationed weapons and military equipment at the facility and launched attack drones from its territory, further increasing nuclear safety risks.
