The South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant was partially disconnected from power after a fire broke out at the Dniprovska 750-kilovolt electrical substation
The UN’s nuclear watchdog has issued a warning after Ukraine reported a fire at the Dniprovska 750-kilovolt electrical substation today following “military activity”.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant was partially disconnected from its off-site power supplies at the request of the grid operator as a result of the incident.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, expressed “deep concern” and said substations are “critical for nuclear safety”.
The IAEA said: “The IAEA has been informed by Ukraine that a fire broke out at the Dniprovska 750 kilovolt electrical substation today due to military activities.
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“As a result, an operating nuclear power plant – South Ukraine – was partially disconnected from its off site power supplies at the request of the grid operator. Firefighters are currently deployed at the substation to suppress the fire.
“DG @RafaelMGrossi expresses deep concern about the incident and says such substations that are critical for nuclear safety must never be targeted. The IAEA will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
This comes after Russia’s nuclear energy chief has warned safety at Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant is “rapidly deteriorating”.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine was targeted by Ukrainian Armed Forces last weekend, Russia said, and was also attacked earlier this month. Russian authorities said a driver was killed by a drone strike at the site carried out by the Ukraine in April.
The wider Zaporizhzhia region has been a target for Vladimir Putin’s forces too in recent weeks. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine said a Russian attack at an industrial infrastructure facility in the region last Friday led to one person being killed.
Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Russia’s Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, this week said the situation at the nuclear plant is rapidly getting to a point of “no return”.
He said: “We are getting closer and closer to the point of no return, and all of Europe must now redouble its efforts to de-escalate the situation surrounding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
“It is moving too quickly toward the point of no return.” If the site, which contains 2,600 tonnes of nuclear fuel, is breached, it will pose risks on a regional scale, he added.
