World

After intense fighting between Ukraine and Russia, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is cut off from external electric power for a seventh time since the start of hostilities.  Its operator warns of 'radiation consequences for the whole world' if not restored.

The operator said on Telegram "the Dniprovska power line was disconnected, leaving it to rely on diesel generators"  - and reviving fears of nuclear catastrophe.

Energoatom, the plant operator, said generators have enough fuel reserves to last ten days. A reliable backup supply is needed to provide diesel generators, so as to run water pumps which cool the six nuclear reactors, their spent fuel pools, and prevent nuclear meltdown.

Still, it stressed that 'it is impossible to restore external power to the plant during this 10 day diesel generator fuel supply time. If diesel fuel runs out, an accident with radiation consequences for the whole world may occur.'

Ukraine's largest power station has been caught in intense clashes since its occupation at the start of the war, provoking fears of a Chernobyl-type disaster.

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in April the situation around the plant is 'becoming increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous', warning of the possibility of a 'severe nuclear accident.'

From almost the beginning of hostilities between Ukraine and Russia, NATO has said that if nuclear radiation from any incident in Ukraine, drifts into NATO countries, then NATO will enter the war on the side of Ukraine and against Russia.