The key facts

  • The 330 kV Ferrosplavnaya-1 overhead line was tripped by protection due to damage
  • Diesel generators started up as designed and are powering the equipment needed for safe operation
  • Radiation background at the site and in the observation zone is normal; the cause of the damage has not been named

The plant lost its last external power line

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost its external electricity supply: the 330 kV Ferrosplavnaya-1 overhead line, which provided power for the plant's own needs, was tripped by protection due to damage. The plant announced this on its official channel — Gazeta.Ru indicates Telegram, while Life.ru — indicates the Max messenger (a message dated November 8, 2026). According to the plant, the backup diesel generators started up as designed and are supplying power to the equipment needed for the safe operation of the power units. The staff is taking measures to maintain the safety of the facility.

Radiation levels normal, cause of damage not named

The plant specified that the radiation background at the site and in the observation zone remains normal. The cause of the line damage is not specified in the publications. The report of the loss of external power looks especially significant against the backdrop of earlier events: on November 4, the governor of Zaporizhzhia region, Yevgeny Balitsky, reportedthat the region's electricity supply had been disrupted after a drone attack on trunk power grids outside the region. Rodion Miroshnik, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry, earlier saidthat from July to September the plant was attacked at least 11 times and repeatedly remained without external electricity supply during the third quarter of 2026 as a result of strikes on energy infrastructure. These statements come from Russian officials; the cited publications contain no independent confirmation of their version.

Context: equipment restoration and fuel supplies

Earlier, according to Life.ru, the electrical equipment needed to supply power to the nuclear plant was restored at the Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant; the work was carried out under a local quiet regime with the participation of the IAEA. In addition, on October 28, the ZNPP discussed with the international agency the possibility of organizing diesel fuel supplies for the backup generators — an issue that has acquired practical significance precisely in situations like the current one, when the plant is running on diesel generators. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, as both outlets note, had previously warned about risks to the plant's safety.