Russian forces attack Zaporizhzhia NPP again
OLHA HLUSHCHENKO – WEDNESDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2022, 07:42
Russian forces once again attacked the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) on the night of 20–21 September, damaging one of the power units’ communications equipment.
Source: Energoatom [Ukraine’s state company that runs all nuclear power plants in this country]
Quote: "Communications equipment that connects power unit No.6 with the ZNPP’s open switchgear was damaged as a result of another attack on the Zaporizhzhia NPP carried out by the Russian terrorists at 01:13 on 21 September 2022."
Details: As a result of the attack, the power unit’s unit transformer and auxiliary transformers were disabled.
Due to the loss of power, two diesel generators of the safety systems were emergency-started to ensure the continued operation of fuel-cooling pumps.
"At 02:00, the ZNPP staff were able to establish power supply for auxiliary needs of power unit No.6 from the busbar system of the plant’s other power units. Diesel generators of power unit No.6 were turned off and switched to standby mode", Energoatom reported.
Background:
- Russia captured the Chornobyl NPP in the beginning of the full-scale invasion in Ukraine. On 4 March, it captured the Zaporizhzhia NPP, creating a threat of radiation disaster. In mid-March, Russian occupying forces detonated ammunition on the territory of the ZNPP.
- On 15 July, Energoatom reported that Russia had deployed several missile systems on the territory of the ZNPP. Russian forces were using these weapons to fire on the area around the city of Nikopol.
- On 1 September, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission arrived at the ZNPP.
- On 2 September, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, confirmed that two representatives of the organisation would remain at the ZNPP after the mission was over.
- On 5 September, four out of six IAEA inspectors finished their inspection of the plant and left the ZNPP. Two IAEA workers remained at the power plant.
- On 5 September, as a result of a fire caused by Russian shelling of the ZNPP, the last line connecting the ZNPP and the Zaporizhzhia Thermoelectric Power Plant to Ukraine’s power grid was disconnected.
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