Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant loses power with radiation threat after Russian bombing

Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Following Russian Drone Strike (Image: Getty)

Ukraine's Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant has been plunged into darkness following Russian shelling that targeted a power grid in the country's north, according to Ukrainian officials. The incident occurred after an energy facility in the city of Slavutych was bombarded by Russia on Wednesday, as stated by Ukraine's Energy Ministry.

The Ministry revealed that a crucial facility, which encapsulates the destroyed fourth reactor unit of the plant and prevents the release of radioactive materials, is now without power. "As a result of voltage surges, the New Safe Confinement, which is a key facility that isolates the destroyed fourth power unit of the Chernobyl NPP and prevents the release of radioactive materials into the environment, was left without power supply," the Ministry posted on Telegram.

In February, a drone armed with a warhead struck the protective outer shell of the plant, creating a hole in the structure and briefly igniting a fire. Ukraine pointed the finger at Russia for the attack, a claim Moscow denied. The news comes as Russia on the brink as insider fears 'economic collapse' after Ukraine hits oil refineries.

At the time, the UN International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that radiation levels had not risen. The decommissioned plant is the location of the world's most catastrophic nuclear accident.

In 1986, the Chernobyl disaster claimed the lives of at least 30 people, with radioactive fallout spreading across much of the Northern Hemisphere. Since Russia's war in Ukraine began in 2022, battles around nuclear power plants have raised fears of a nuclear catastrophe, reports the Express US.

Europe's largest nuclear facility at Zaporizhzhia has been struck by drone attacks throughout the conflict without sustaining major damage.

Concerns regarding the plant's security have resurfaced this week after it was disconnected from external electricity supplies on September 23.

This represents the facility's most extended power cut since hostilities commenced.

Russia accused of flying drone into shelter at Chernobyl

Seized by Russian troops in the early stages of the war, the Zaporizhzhia installation no longer feeds electricity into the national grid but continues to require power for cooling its six dormant reactors and stored nuclear fuel.

Emergency backup generators are presently maintaining critical systems.

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, emphasised that re-establishing dependable external power supplies was crucial.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky characterised the circumstances as "critical," noting that emergency systems were not designed for extended operation.