Drone Strikes Near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Kill Two Workers; Power Supply Restored

Deadly Drone Attacks at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Facility

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: On November 9, drone assaults in the vicinity of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant resulted in the deaths of two energy sector employees. Among the victims were one staff member from the nuclear plant itself and one worker from the nearby Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Station. This marks the second fatality among Zaporizhzhia plant personnel in recent weeks, following the October 29 death of a welder in the plant’s repair workshop during a previous drone attack.

Located close to the nuclear facility, the Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Station also suffered losses. The death of the nuclear plant employee underscores the increasing dangers faced by workers operating under hazardous conditions amid ongoing hostilities.

Restoration of Electricity Supply

On November 8, the Zaporizhzhia plant completely lost its external power connection after the last transmission line linking it to Ukraine’s national grid was cut off. This was the 16th total blackout event at the plant since the start of 2026. During this outage, the facility’s critical systems relied solely on backup diesel generators. Later that evening, Ukrainian energy specialists successfully reactivated the 330 kV Ferrosplavna-1 transmission line, restoring the plant’s external electricity supply.

The overall situation at Zaporizhzhia remains precarious. The water level in the plant’s cooling pond is dropping, diesel fuel reserves are insufficient, and there is a shortage of qualified personnel on-site. Russia has rejected a Ukrainian-proposed plan aimed at improving the plant’s external power connections. Combined with the ongoing occupation of the facility, attacks on the fourth reactor’s containment at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and strikes on the energy infrastructure, these developments significantly heighten safety risks.

“All attacks targeting nuclear plant personnel must stop immediately,” emphasized Rafael Grossi.

The deaths of workers at Zaporizhzhia and nearby energy sites highlight the intensifying conflict in Ukraine, which threatens not only human lives but also the security of nuclear installations. The loss of external power and dwindling resources needed to maintain normal operations send urgent warning signals. The international community must step up efforts to guarantee the protection of nuclear facilities amid armed conflict, as failure to do so could have devastating consequences for the entire region.

The recent drone strikes near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant highlight the ongoing risks associated with its unstable situation. As the facility faces its 16th power outage this year, serious safety concerns continue to mount, raising questions about the adequacy of safety protocols and the potential for further incidents.