Ukrainian nuclear power cables hit Zaporizhzhya plant with artillery

Ukrainian state energy company Energoatom reports that high-voltage cables were hit in a bombing at a nuclear power plant near Zaporizhzhya. The plant is in the hands of the Russians since the beginning of March.

The pro-Russian administration in the nearby city of Enerhodar said the power needed for the safe operation of the station had been cut off, according to the Interfax news agency. Energoatom says the plant is still in operation and elevated levels of radiation have not been measured.

According to the pro-Russian administration, the cables were hit by Ukrainian artillery fire during the shift of work. The state power company says the cables were hit by Russian bombing.

According to Interfax, a fire also broke out at the site of the nuclear power plant. The firefighters are there, but they can’t do anything because there is still power on the high voltage cables that have been battered.

What does a nuclear power plant mean for the country? This video explains the importance of a power plant:

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said this week that the situation at the plant was “totally out of control” and that “every principle of nuclear safety is being violated”. He wants the IAEA to be able to get to the station as quickly as possible to stabilize things.