Russia is reportedly planning to target the power lines of Europe’s largest nuclear power facility, with actions potentially unfolding in the coming days, according to an informed source.
Initially, Ukrainian officials indicated that Moscow’s strategy involved high-voltage transmission infrastructure rather than direct assaults on nuclear reactors. However, a source has now revealed that Moscow’s focus is specifically on the power lines of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).
On January 17, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry (HUR) issued a statement warning of Russia’s potential attacks on key substations vital for nuclear power generation.
“To compel Ukraine into accepting unfavorable surrender terms to conclude the conflict, Russia, the aggressor state, is contemplating attacks on strategic energy infrastructure. This includes electricity transmission substations that support the operation of Ukrainian nuclear power facilities,” the statement said.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been under Russian control since March 2022. (Ed Ram/Washington Post via Getty Images)
A source informed Fox News Digital about the looming threat at ZNPP, stating, “There are discussions of a significant attack either tonight or in the upcoming nights.” The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that “the Ukrainian government has been holding discussions concerning ZNPP and its power lines, which is not a new topic of concern.”
According to The Associated Press, Russia also targeted energy infrastructure in Odesa region overnight Sunday, according to Ukraine’s Emergency Service.
ZNPP is located in southern Ukraine and consists of six VVER-1000 pressurized water reactors, and has been under Russian occupation since March 2022, according to reports.
Although the reactors are no longer producing electricity, the plant needs external power to maintain cooling and safety systems.
The IAEA has repeatedly warned that disruptions to off-site power supplies and lines pose a serious nuclear safety risk.
A Jan. 16 localized ceasefire was agreed between Russia and Ukraine for repairs under IAEA coordination on one backup power line at ZNPP that had already been damaged.
In a statement, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said Jan. 16: “The IAEA continues to work closely with both sides to ensure nuclear safety at the ZNPP and to prevent a nuclear accident during the conflict. This temporary ceasefire, the fourth we have negotiated, demonstrates the indispensable role that we continue to play.”
“A deterioration of Ukraine’s power grid from persistent military activity has direct implications on the nuclear safety of its nuclear facilities,” Grossi said.
“Russia is said to be going to do this strike, maybe even tonight,” the source said of the ZNPP operation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly set his sights on Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lines, according to a source. (Ramil Sitdikov/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
“Information also from the Ukrainian Parliament and Ukrainian Security Service, or internally, is that the Russian army told the Ukrainian army that if they don’t stop shelling their tankers in the sea or shelling their oil refineries, as well as their electric stations like power stations,” the source said, “then they will fully destroy Kyiv energy facilities aswell.”
“The parliament knows this. But we keep shelling,” the source added.
“This is a very difficult situation,” the source continued, saying Ukrainian leadership, the Ukrainian parliament and “obviously the office of the president” are fully aware that “if we keep shelling Russian tankers and oil refineries, then they will destroy everything that we have.”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also recently urged NATO allies to urgently deliver additional air-defense missiles, warning that some systems are running low on ammunition, according to reports.
“To actually preserve the energy in the country when it is minus 20 outside and people are literally suffering hugely,” the source added. “People don’t have electricity, don’t have warmth and some don’t even have water.”
“And this is a very controversial situation,” the source said, “particularly for the Ukrainian people sitting inside, hungry and freezing, and overall being in this disastrous humanitarian situation.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to President Zelenskyy’s office for comment.
