Ukraine nuclear power plant halts operations as a safety measure

The Russian Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant In Ukraine it has halted operations as a safety measure, according to a statement Sunday from Energoatom, the government agency responsible for the plant.

The statement said the plant was “completely grounded” after Energoatom disconnected the No. 6 power unit from the grid at approximately 3:40 a.m.

“Preparations are underway to cool it down and bring it to a cold state,” the agency said.

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On Wednesday, the Ukrainian capital Kyiv urged its residents Areas occupied by Russia About the plant to evacuate for safety reasons.

Russia and Ukraine accused each other of bombing the nuclear plant and risking nuclear disaster.

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(File photo) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has requested demilitarization of the surrounding area.
((AP Photo/Marcus Schreiber))

Energoattom said it restored the power system’s communications line to operational capacity on Saturday. The agency said the line was damaged by Russian bombing, allowing the station to operate on the Ukrainian power system.

“Therefore, a decision was made to shut down the power unit number 6 and transfer it to the safest state – cold shutdown,” Energoatom said.

The agency said the risk of further damage to the line “remains high”.

(File photo) Energoatom said it had restored the power system’s communications line to operating capacity on Saturday.

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This will force the plant to “run with diesel generators, the duration of which is limited by technological resources and the amount of diesel fuel available,” the agency explained.

Reuters contributed to this report.