The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe, has been reduced to relying on just one external power line from Dnipropetrovsk following the failure of its backup solution due to military activity. IAEA Director Rafael Grossi reported that one of the power lines was lost on February 10, which raises concerns for the safety and stability of the facility given its critical cooling needs. Control of the plant has been in Russian hands since shortly after the invasion four years ago, and although it is not generating power currently, external electricity is essential to prevent overheating of nuclear materials.

Tensions between Ukraine and Russia are heightened as both sides regularly accuse each other of military activities near the plant, which could jeopardize nuclear safety. The external power lines have frequently experienced outages, leading to calls for urgent attention to the safety infrastructure at the facility. With the increasing risks posed by ongoing military operations in the area and the lack of a reliable power supply, the implications for regional and perhaps global nuclear safety are significant.

The situation at the Zaporizhzhia plant underscores the complex and precarious environment surrounding nuclear energy amidst ongoing conflict, sparking international concerns about the potential consequences of operational failures or accidents. The IAEA continues to monitor the situation closely, advocating for adequate measures to ensure the plant's safety and avert a nuclear disaster, which remains a looming threat if the current power supply issue cannot be resolved swiftly.