The outage was caused by an unspecified problem on the plant’s only working external line — the 330kV Ferosplavna-1 connection.
The backup 750kV Dniprovska line has been disconnected since March 2026, with repairs still underway under a localized ceasefire.
The repeated blackouts underscore the plant’s worsening condition under Russian occupation, which the report says has included militarization, pressure on staff and efforts to tie the facility to Russia’s power grid.
As fuel queues grow and refineries burn, can Russia's economy withstand Ukraine's escalating attacks on its energy heartland?
With drones striking 2,000km deep, has Ukraine turned Russia's vast size into its most critical wartime vulnerability?
On the Brink: 19 Power Losses at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Highlight Catastrophic Nuclear Risk
Overview
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) recently faced a nearly three-day power outage after losing its 330 kV 'Ferrosplavna-1' backup line while its main 750 kV 'Dniprovska' line was already disconnected. This left the plant dangerously close to a nuclear incident, highlighting its extreme vulnerability. A local ceasefire, coordinated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), enabled critical repairs and allowed the plant to reconnect to the grid. These repeated outages show how ongoing military conflict and damaged infrastructure threaten nuclear safety, making international oversight and urgent action essential to prevent disaster.