Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant faces critical safety risks

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, is facing critical safety risks due to declining water levels and repeated external electricity outages. All six reactors are currently in cold shutdown.

Ukrainian military intelligence reports that the water level in the plant’s cooling pond has been steadily dropping, reaching 12.55 meters by the end of August, which is below the 15 meters required for normal operations. Additionally, the facility has suffered multiple power outages via the Ferrosplavna-1 line, including an 18-day period between August 20 and September 7, 2026, where the site relied entirely on backup diesel generators.

Maintaining the facility requires a minimum staff of approximately 1,150 employees. Experts warn that a prolonged total blackout would necessitate roughly 150 metric tons of diesel fuel per day to maintain essential cooling systems for the reactors and spent fuel pools. The situation remains precarious as the region approaches the colder season.