Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remains 'very risky" after two of its six reactors were reconnected to the power grid.
The complex was temporarily disconnected from its power supply following shelling that caused it to lose power for the first time in its history. Russian shelling continued to displace civilians in the east of the country, where three-quarters of the population had fled the frontline region of Donetsk.
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
Ukraine's state nuclear company, Energoatom, said on Friday evening that both of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant's two functioning reactors had been reconnected to the grid and were once again supplying electricity after being fully disconnected on Thursday.
In a statement, Zelensky said, "Let me stress that the situation remains very risky and dangerous," while also praising Ukrainian experts who were working to "avert the worst-case scenario."
The Ukrainian leader said that any repeat of the events of that day, which means the disconnection of the station from the power grid, or any action by Russia that could provoke the disconnection of reactors, would once again place the station one step away from a catastrophe, as per Reuters.
Moscow, which invaded Ukraine in February, took control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in March. However, the complex is still operated by Ukrainian technicians working for Energoatom.
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Russia and Ukraine have traded blame for the shelling near the plant, which on Thursday sparked fires in the ash pits of a nearby coal power station, which is the reason for the disconnection.
According to the New York Post, Energoatom hailed staff responsible for addressing the issue as "real heroes" who "tirelessly and firmly hold the nuclear and radiation safety of Ukraine and the whole of Europe on their shoulders and work selflessly so that their native country has life-giving electricity."
Risky Situation
Zelensky noted that backup diesel generators were used to ensure the power supply that was vital for cooling and safety systems at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. During a video address, he said that international pressure was needed to force the occupiers to immediately withdraw from the plant's territory.
The Ukrainian president, referring to the United Nations nuclear watchdog, said that the IAEA and other international organizations must act much faster than they are acting now. He argued that every minute that the Russian troops occupied the nuclear plant was a risk of a global radiation disaster.
An IAEA team is expected to visit the nuclear power plant soon, but more shelling was reported in the area overnight. Lana Zerkal, who is an adviser to Ukraine's energy minister, said that logistical issues were being worked out for the IAEA team to come to the Zaporizhzhia plant.
The situation comes as Ukraine has exported 1 million tons of food to 15 nations worldwide after its Black Sea ports were reopened under the terms of a grain deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations. Zelensky said that 44 ships had been sent out and noted that 70 more applications for ships to be loaded were received, France24 reported.
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