Ukraine’s state nuclear power company Energoatom said on September 1 morning that the fifth reactor has been shut down at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant because of nearby shelling this morning, Report informs referring to CNBC.
Attacks have been reported in the Enerhodar area where the plant is located, with both Ukraine and Russia accusing each other of violence on the day a team of UN experts is set to carry out a safety inspection.
There are widespread concerns over the stability of the complex amid the ongoing war.
Energoatom said on Telegram this morning that “as a result of another mortar shelling by the Russian occupying forces at the site of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, the emergency protection was activated and the operating 5th power unit was shut down.” It said a reserve power supply line was also damaged.
“This is the second time in the last 10 days that the criminal actions of the rioters have led to the shutdown of the unit and power outage of the station,” Energoatom noted.
It said power unit No. 6 continues to work in the energy system of Ukraine and at the same time feeds the ZNPP’s own needs, adding that the Ukrainian personnel at the plant were “doing everything possible to eliminate damage to its infrastructure.”