Ukraine reports an emergency outage at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

PAROMITA DAS

On 10th of March, Kiev Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s official energy provider, stated that there was an emergency power outage at the now-defunct Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which was taken over by Russian soldiers on the first day of Moscow’s war on Kiev.

Ukrenergo also stated that the diesel fuel supply for diesel generators will be sufficient for 48 hours.

Repair work to restore the energy supply, according to the firm, was rendered impossible owing to Russian war actions in the region.

Although activities at the plant ceased following the tragic nuclear disaster in 1986, the BBC reported that Chernobyl was never completely abandoned and still requires continual monitoring, adding that spent nuclear material is cooled at the site.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified the power outage at Chernobyl on Thursday morning, stating it “would not have a critical impact on important safety activities at the facility.”

However, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that the interruption was expected to add to the stress of the 210 technical specialists and guards who have been stationed at the site since Russia launched its offensive on February 24.

Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko told the BBC that the stranded personnel would be “psychologically weary,” adding that preserving Ukraine’s nuclear reactors should be a priority “for the EU, the globe, and not only for Ukraine.”

Galushchenko stated that Ukrainian officials sought to restore power as soon as possible.

Mayor Yuri Fomichev told the BBC that Slavutych town, where the majority of Chernobyl workers live, is also without power.

He went on to say that the power outage might cause the entire community to lose water and heat within hours.