Zelensky Warns Critical Power Outage at Russian-Occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared a critical situation at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been without external power for seven consecutive days, the longest such outage since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The plant, Europe's largest, is reliant on diesel generators to maintain cooling and safety systems, but one of these generators has reportedly failed, increasing the risk of a nuclear incident. Zelenskyy accused Russian forces of cutting power lines through shelling and obstructing repair efforts, calling their actions unprecedented and a threat to global safety. Russia denies responsibility, blaming Ukrainian attacks, while the International Atomic Energy Agency remains engaged in monitoring and negotiating to de-escalate tensions at the site. The plant's six reactors have been shut down since the occupation, but continuous power is essential to prevent reactor meltdowns. This ongoing power outage and the conflict around the site have raised international concerns about the potential for a devastating nuclear disaster.