Russian strike plunges Chornobyl NPP into three-hour blackout — Zelenskyy sounds alarm

Due to Russia’s strike on an energy substation in Slavutych on October 1, facilities at the former Chornobyl nuclear power plant were left without power for more than three hours.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported this.

According to him, this also affected the new shelter that protects the environment from the remnants of the plant’s fourth reactor after the 1986 explosion, as well as radioactive debris and dust.

«It also covers the spent nuclear fuel storage, which contains 80% of all the spent fuel accumulated during the NPP’s operation — more than 3,250 tons, ” the President reminded.

Zelenskyy stressed that Russia knew full well the consequences of a strike on Slavutych. He noted that it was a deliberate attack, with the occupiers deploying more than 20 Russian-Iranian Shahed drones.

«Some of them were shot down, but the strike was organized in a wave of drones to complicate the facility’s defense, ” he explained.

The President also recalled that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has now been in blackout for eight days following Russian shelling near the station.

«And Russia is doing absolutely nothing to fix the situation or allow Ukrainian specialists to restore external power to the plant, which should operate without interruption under normal conditions. Russia is deliberately creating the risk of radiation incidents, exploiting the weak stance of the IAEA and Director Rafael Grossi, as well as the world’s distracted attention, ” Zelenskyy said.

He emphasized that constant Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure — including those vital for the safety of nuclear plants and other nuclear facilities — pose a global threat.

«Alongside Chornobyl and Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine has six nuclear plants, each of which could be targeted by Russian drones and missiles. It is crucial for European countries, the United States, the G7 and G20 to act decisively, with full strength, for peace and security. A strong response and firm pressure on Russia are needed to protect lives, ” Zelenskyy concluded.