Greenpeace has alleged that Russian forces are deliberately damaging power supply infrastructure serving the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, according to a report by Al Jazeera. The organization claims that recent incidents have resulted in repeated interruptions to the plant's electricity feed, which is essential for maintaining safe reactor operations.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, the largest nuclear facility in Europe, has been under Russian control since early 2022. Greenpeace says that the sabotage of power lines has forced plant operators to rely on backup generators, increasing the risk of technical failures. The group warned that sustained loss of external power could compromise cooling systems and other critical safety mechanisms.
Al Jazeera noted that Ukrainian authorities have previously reported power outages at the site, attributing them to Russian attacks on the surrounding grid. The latest Greenpeace statement adds that the sabotage appears systematic, targeting multiple transmission points to hinder the plant's connection to the national grid.
International nuclear safety agencies have called for uninterrupted power supplies to all operating reactors, emphasizing that any prolonged loss of electricity can lead to severe accidents. While no incident of a reactor shutdown has been confirmed, the allegations underscore ongoing concerns about the plant's stability amid the broader conflict.
The Russian defense ministry has not responded to the specific accusations of sabotage. However, it has previously denied targeting civilian infrastructure in the region. The situation remains under close observation by both Ukrainian officials and global monitoring bodies, who stress the importance of maintaining the plant's safety standards.
Greenpeace urged the international community to increase scrutiny of the power supply situation and to ensure that all parties respect the protocols governing nuclear safety. The organization also called for transparent investigations into the alleged sabotage to prevent any escalation of risk at the Zaporizhzhia facility.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Al Jazeera — All News — original source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/17/russia-sabotaging-power-supply-lines-at-zaporizhzhia-plant-greenpeace?traffic_source=rss.