A nuclear power region in the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia has been cut off for more than three days, raising concerns that Vladimir Putin will present himself as a saviour
There are concerns of a meltdown at a Ukrainian nuclear plant after Russia cut off the power supply to the country.
External power to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia region have been cut for three days, sparking concerns about the six-reactor site at the frontlines in Ukraine. The last power line into the plant was cut on the Russian side on Tuesday afternoon and there was no clear sign the line would be reconnected.
Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) previously described the situation at the site as “deeply concerning.” He met wish Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on Thursday but the power has remained cut.
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Experts fear Putin is aiming to manufacture a crisis in a bid to consolidate his grip on the contested region. “Russia is using the nuclear power station as a bargaining chip,” a Ukrainian official said, as reported by The Guardian.
A nuclear power station should be able to operate without power for 72 hours but going beyond that timeframe is untried, according to Ukrainian sources. Russian troops gained control of the plant in March 2022, with its reactors powering an estimated 4million homes.
Russian operators told the IAEA there was enough diesel to power the generators for 20 days without the need for a fuel resupply. Grossi remains concerned over the “likelihood of a nuclear accident.”
Ukrainian sources are concerned there could be a risk that fuel in the six reactors would heat uncontrollably over a period of several weeks, leading to a meltdown. There are hints Russia is close to installing a power line into the plant, running through occupied territories in a bid to resolve the looming crisis, despite being one they manufactured.
“They will portray themselves as saviours,” the same Ukrainian official added. Grossi and Putin have not made reference to the crisis in any detail following their meeting.
Putin told Grossi: “We will do everything we can in order to support your work.” The Russian leader could be aiming to tilt the grinding war further in his favour with the move following Donald Trump’s apparent pivot toward supporting Ukraine.
The US President has given his backing to Ukraine in the fight to regain all lost territory, a goal once dismissed by the Trump administration shortly after it entered office in January.