# Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant security and power crisis > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-security-crisis > Updated: 2026-09-13T08:35:30.000Z. Sources: 59. Developments: 17. Since its capture in March 2022, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station has remained shut down under Russian control, with safety increasingly threatened by attacks, power losses, and water-supply problems. In late July 2026, Russian officials condemned a Ukrainian drone attempt targeting a spent-fuel depot, though the device was reportedly neutralized. Security concerns escalated in early August when a drone strike landed near the gallery of unit 3. The plant’s electrical stability remains critical; following multiple outages in early August, the IAEA noted that the frequency of power losses was “extremely concerning and clearly unsustainable.” On 18 August, a drone explosion at a bus stop in Enerhodar used by plant staff resulted in casualties, an event the plant director described as the “worst event the plant has ever experienced.” By early September, the facility entered a period of acute instability. Following the loss of the last remaining 330-kilovolt electrical line on 20 August due to crossfire, the IAEA negotiated a localized, temporary ceasefire to facilitate critical repairs to the Ferosplavna-1 transmission line. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi described the reconnection of external electricity on 7 September as “a crucial step” to prevent a potential nuclear accident. Rosatom also confirmed the restoration of the power supply. However, new security risks emerged on 11 September. Alexei Likhachev, head of Russia’s state atomic energy agency, accused Ukrainian forces of conducting “coordinated hits” against diesel fuel tankers near the plant. Likhachev reported that the strikes killed two Russian soldiers and injured several others, noting that these fuel supplies are essential for maintaining reactor cooling during power outages. On 12 September, the facility reported more than 10 drone attacks targeting its training and instruction center. ## Claims - A drone exploded at a bus stop used by Zaporizhzhya NPP staff around 06:00 local time. (disputed by 3 sources) - The explosion resulted in one death and between 15 and 17 injuries among staff and subcontractors. (disputed by 3 sources) - A Ukrainian drone was detected near the spent‑fuel storage area and its explosive device was neutralised with no injuries or damage. (disputed) - The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant lost its last remaining 330 kV power connection, the Ferosplavna-1 line, on August 20. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The plant faces a risk of total blackout within days due to depleting diesel fuel reserves used for emergency generators. (corroborated by 5 sources) - IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that Russia and Ukraine cooperated constructively to facilitate the ceasefire. (corroborated by 5 sources) - This is the seventh localized ceasefire brokered by the IAEA in the Zaporizhzhia region to prevent a nuclear accident. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost external power for about two hours on 1 August 2026. (corroborated by 4 sources) - It was the 23rd external power loss at the plant since the war began. (corroborated by 4 sources) - A localized ceasefire has been negotiated by the IAEA to allow repairs on the power transmission line supplying the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Ukrainian technicians are scheduled to begin repairs once the area around the transmission line is cleared of mines. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The director of the Zaporizhzhya NPP described the explosion as the worst incident the plant has experienced. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-13: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant: Russia claims Ukrainian attack on fuel tankers Russia accuses Ukraine of attacking diesel fuel tankers near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, killing two Russian soldiers and threatening the facility's cooling capabilities. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-russia-claims-ukrainian-attack-on-fuel-tankers ### 2026-09-12: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant targeted by drone attacks The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant reported over 10 drone attacks against its training center, raising concerns regarding nuclear security and potential emergency response capabilities. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-targeted-by-drone-attacks ### 2026-09-07: Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant restores external electricity connection The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has restored its external electricity connection following a local truce negotiated by the IAEA, reducing the immediate risk of a nuclear accident. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-restores-external-electricity-connection ### 2026-09-05: Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant ceasefire announced for power line repairs The IAEA has brokered a localized ceasefire near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to allow critical repairs on a power transmission line and prevent a potential total blackout caused by depleting diesel reserves. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-ceasefire-enables-critical-power-repairs ### 2026-09-02: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant: IAEA visits allegedly blocked by Ukraine Maria Zakharova claims Ukraine is preventing IAEA representatives from visiting the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-iaea-visits-allegedly-blocked-by-ukraine ### 2026-09-01: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant faces critical cooling risks The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is relying on emergency diesel generators for cooling following a week-long loss of external power, raising fears of a potential meltdown if fuel reserves run out. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-faces-critical-cooling-risks ### 2026-08-29: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant faces critical power shortages The IAEA warns that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant faces a potential total power failure within ten days unless external electricity is restored or more diesel is delivered for emergency generators. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-faces-critical-power-shortages ### 2026-08-28: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant targeted by multiple drone attacks The IAEA reported multiple drone attacks on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, injuring two workers and striking storage and cooling systems, though radiation levels remain normal. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-targeted-by-multiple-drone-attacks ### 2026-08-20: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant switches to backup diesel generators The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has switched to emergency diesel generators after damage to a high-voltage power line caused a loss of external electricity. Radiation levels remain normal. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-switches-to-backup-diesel-generators ### 2026-08-18: Zaporizhzhya NPP staff targeted in drone attack near bus stop A drone attack at a bus stop for Zaporizhzhya NPP staff killed one person and injured up to 17 others. The IAEA warned the incident poses a grave risk to nuclear safety. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-faces-safety-risks-after-drone-strike ### 2026-08-06: IAEA warns of rising power outages at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant The IAEA warned that Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, occupied by Russian forces, has seen 24 external power losses—half in the past four months—and a recent unexplained outage, urging maximum military‑re‑ 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iaea-warns-of-rising-power-outages-at-ukraines-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant ### 2026-08-04: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Faces Repeated External Power Outage Amid Russian Occupation Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in occupied Ukraine lost external power again, using diesel generators; the 12th outage this year and 24th since Russian seizure, raising safety concerns. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-faces-repeated-external-power-outage-amid-russian-occupation ### 2026-08-02: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Drone Attack Averts Disaster A drone hit the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant’s power‑unit gallery near reactor 3, narrowly avoiding a disaster. Rosatom’s Alexey Likhachev cited recent attacks on the plant and fuel storage, limited power supply, 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-drone-attack-averts-disaster ### 2026-08-01: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Faces 23rd Power Outage Amid Conflict Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant lost external power for two hours—the 23rd outage since the war—triggering diesel generators and raising IAEA safety concerns amid recent Ukrainian attacks. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-experiences-23rd-power-outage-amid-ukraine-conflict ### 2026-07-31: Russia condemns Ukrainian attack on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant Russia condemned a Ukrainian drone attack on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant’s spent‑fuel depot, saying it threatened nuclear safety. The device was neutralised with no damage; the plant’s six reactors remain shut. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-condemns-ukrainian-attack-on-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-facility ### 2026-07-24: Zaporizhzhia bombed by Russian forces, civilian casualties and nuclear plant water disruption Russian bombings in Zaporizhzhia killed a woman, injured dozens including children, and disrupted water supply to the nearby nuclear plant. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zaporizhzhia-bombed-by-russian-forces-civilian-casualties-and-nuclear-plant-water-disruption ### 2026-07-11: Russia, IAEA Agree on Steps to Secure Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant Russia and the IAEA agreed on practical measures to improve security at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant after hundreds of drone attacks and artillery strikes, which have caused casualties in Enerhodar. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-iaea-agree-on-steps-to-secure-zaporozhye-nuclear-plant --- Cite as: Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant security and power crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-security-crisis