Ukrainian nuclear plant loses external power link
The International Atomic Energy Agency reports that the nuclear power plant in Ukraine's Zaporizhia, the largest in Europe, has lost its last remaining external source of energy as a result of renewed bombing, and is now dependent on emergency diesel generators.
"The resumption of the bombing, which hit the plant's only external energy source, is highly irresponsible," said Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
On the other hand, an unknown explosion caused a partial collapse of the bridge linking Crimea to Russia, damaging an important supply artery for the Kremlin's efforts.
Agency experts
The International Atomic Energy Agency said the station's 750-kilovolt line had been cut, citing official information from Ukraine and reports from IAEA experts at the site being held by Russian forces.
All six reactors at the plant have been shut down but still need electricity for cooling and other safety functions.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said the plant's engineers have begun work to repair the damaged power line and the plant's generators - not all of which are currently in use - have
Sufficient fuel for at least 10 days.
protection area
Grossi visited Kyiv and said he would soon travel to Russia, and then make another trip to Ukraine, to reinforce his efforts to create a "protection zone for nuclear safety and security" around the plant, which he has been calling for weeks.
"This is an absolute and urgent necessity," he said. The International Atomic Energy Agency did not blame the bombing. bridge explosion
On the other hand, Saturday's explosion caused a partial collapse of the bridge linking Crimea and Russia, damaging an important supply artery for efforts
The Kremlin's warlike faltering in southern Ukraine.
Russian authorities said a truck bomb explosion killed three people. The head of the Russian-backed regional parliament in Crimea immediately accused Ukraine of being behind the blast.
Moscow did not blame. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly threatened to strike the bridge and some have praised the destruction, but Kyiv has not claimed responsibility.
Escalation of the war
The blast risked a sharp escalation in Russia's eight-month war, with some Russian lawmakers calling on President Vladimir Putin to declare an "anti-terror operation" in response, ignoring the term "special military operation" that reduced the scope of the fighting to ordinary Russians
The Kremlin could use such a move to expand the power of the security services, ban gatherings, tighten controls, impose travel restrictions and expand the partial military mobilization ordered by Putin last month.