NextFin news, On Monday, September 22, 2025, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest nuclear facility located in southeastern Ukraine, faced increased safety risks due to intensified Ukrainian military attacks in the region. The plant, currently occupied by Russian forces, has seen six of its seven external power transmission lines compromised, leaving only one operational line, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi addressed the agency's Board of Governors in Vienna, stating that the loss of power lines poses serious safety risks. Although all six reactors at the plant have been in cold shutdown since spring 2024, they still require external power to maintain cooling systems essential for preventing overheating and potential radioactive release.
Grossi highlighted that the cooling pond water level has dropped to 13.4 meters, dangerously close to the 12.0-meter threshold below which cooling systems could fail, risking a nuclear accident. He emphasized that no reactor can be safely restarted under current conditions and expressed deep concern over ongoing military activities near the plant, which exacerbate the risks of managing the facility safely.
The Zaporizhzhia plant was seized by Russian forces during their 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Since then, it has been repeatedly targeted in the conflict, with infrastructure damage and power outages threatening its safe operation. On the same day, Russian airstrikes targeted the wider Zaporizhzhia region, damaging infrastructure and causing civilian injuries.
The IAEA has also reported difficulties in ensuring a reliable supply of cooling water and has called for long-term solutions such as constructing pumping stations to stabilize the plant's safety systems. The agency's efforts to inspect and maintain the plant's safety have been hindered by restricted access and ongoing hostilities.
Ukraine's other nuclear power plants at Khmelnytskyy, Rivne, and South Ukraine continue to operate and supply electricity despite the conflict. Before the war, nuclear energy accounted for 55% of Ukraine's electricity production, the second highest share globally after France.
The IAEA continues to monitor the situation closely, urging all parties to avoid military actions near the nuclear facility to prevent a potential catastrophe comparable to past nuclear disasters.
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