Ukraine Nuclear Plant without Power as Russian Strikes Target Energy Infrastructures

Power supply to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was disrupted following a Russian strike. It is now running on diesel generators, Ukraine’s nuclear energy operator said on Thursday.

The last line of communication between the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP and the Ukrainian power system was cut off as a result of rocket attacks.

Russian missiles and drones targeted energy infrastructure across Ukraine on Thursday. The fighting for control of the eastern city of Bakhmut also continued.

Russia continues to target key facilities in Ukraine with missiles and drones, disrupting water, heating and electricity supplies. There were strikes reported in the capital Kyiv, the city of Kharkiv in the northeast and the southwestern region of Odesa, leading to widespread power cuts. Ukrainian energy operator DTEK’s Kyiv division said that “due to an enemy attack, emergency power outages are in force”.

In the Kharkiv region, located on the border with Russia, there had been 15 strikes. In Kharkiv city, there were “problems” with electricity in some areas. In Odesa region, Russian missiles hit the energy infrastructure and damaged residential buildings.

Russia is reported to be making gains in the battle for the industrial city of Bakhmut. Fall of Bakhmut could lead to further Russian advances in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister Ganna Maliar said on Wednesday that the resistance in Bakhmut should be considered a “victory”.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also on Wednesday hosted UN chief Antonio Guterres in Kyiv, who was on his third visit to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion.