Lead
The head of Russia's state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, said on April 13–14 that shelling near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in southeastern Ukraine has continued after a brief Easter truce, and that the plant again lost all external power as a result. According to Alexey Likhachev, CEO of Rosatom, Ukrainian armed forces resumed shelling of the plant area, leading to the disruption of the only operational external power line at the time. He made the remarks to reporters in Moscow on April 14, as reported by TASS.
The plant, which is Europe's largest nuclear facility, has been a flashpoint for months, with both sides trading blame for attacks around the site. This latest incident marks at least the 14th time the plant has gone into a complete blackout, according to Likhachev.
Coverage Comparison
The reporting on the situation stems from three separate TASS dispatches, all quoting Likhachev directly. A short statement on April 13 quoted him confirming that shelling of the plant and nearby Energodar continues, with projectiles falling in the town's industrial zone. A longer report on April 14 detailed the aftermath of the Easter truce, including a power outage and the response by plant staff. A third report, from April 20, focused on the ongoing fragility of the plant's power supply and the difficulties in repairing a damaged transmission line.
All three extracts come from the Russian state news agency TASS, which generally reflects official Russian positions. The framing consistently attributes the shelling to Ukrainian forces, while the tone varies from matter-of-fact to concerned. No independent confirmation from Ukrainian officials or international bodies was included in the provided material.
Key Claims
- Continued shelling: Likhachev confirmed on April 13 that "shelling of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant continues," with "ammunition falling near Energodar, in the industrial zone area." This statement was made in response to a reporter's question, as quoted by TASS.
- Post-Easter power loss: On April 14, Likhachev stated that after the Easter truce, shelling resumed and caused the plant to "completely lose power." He said the "only operational line at that time, the Ferrosplavnaya," was cut off. The plant was reconnected using mobile sources and standby diesel generators, he added.
- Recurring blackouts: Likhachev noted that this was "the 14th time the plant has lost all external power" and that one previous outage lasted over a month, which he called "a world record."
- Single-line operation: In an April 20 update, Likhachev said the plant is currently receiving electricity via only one external line, Ferrosplavnaya, because the other line, Dneprovskaya, has been damaged — reportedly over the waters of the Dnieper River. He said repairs are difficult due to high water levels and may be postponed for the near future.
- IAEA rotations: Likhachev confirmed that the 33rd rotation of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission representatives was completed on April 20, and the 34th mission has begun its work. He said the new team includes representatives from Nigeria, Romania, South Africa, and Armenia, traveling from Moscow toward Zaporizhzhia.
Perspectives
- Russian viewpoint (as represented by Rosatom/TASS): The shelling is attributed to Ukrainian forces, and the plant's safety is described as being jeopardized by ongoing military actions. Likhachev praises the plant's staff for their professionalism and notes that IAEA inspectors are present to record the conditions. The situation is framed as "not improving," with a key supply line damaged and repair efforts hindered by environmental conditions.
- International nuclear safety perspective: The repeated loss of all external power at a nuclear plant is a serious safety concern, as backup diesel generators and mobile power sources are emergency measures. The IAEA's continued presence indicates that international attention is focused on preventing a nuclear accident. The agency's findings and assessments would be crucial for a fuller picture, though they were not included in the provided material.
- Ukrainian perspective (not directly represented): No Ukrainian statements or independent reports were included in the provided extracts. Ukrainian officials have previously denied targeting the plant and have accused Russian forces of shelling it or using it as a military base. Without direct Ukrainian commentary or independent verification, the claims here remain attributed solely to Russian sources.