Fire near ZNPP, half the region without power — is there a radiation threat.

Smoke in the vicinity of the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was caused by a forest fire, but the power supply is functioning normally and there is no radiation threat.

This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine on Telegram on Saturday, July 19. Media spread information about smoke in the area of the plant and the lack of electricity in some areas of the Zaporizhzhia region, but the management confirmed that the smoke originated from a fire that occurred at a safe distance from the power plant.

Situation around ZNPP on July 19

According to the Ministry of Energy, the power transmission lines between the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and internal networks are operating steadily. Employees noted that Russian occupiers and shelling have damaged power transmission lines, resulting in outages at the plant.

'Powering the nuclear power plant with generators is a significant danger to nuclear safety,' the Ministry of Energy stated.

Despite the enemy occupation, Ukraine continues to ensure nuclear safety and supply electricity to the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

Recall that at the beginning of July, there was a blackout at the Zaporizhzhia NPP due to a strike by Russian occupiers on the power transmission line, but Ukrainian specialists quickly managed to restore the line. Also, just a few days ago, the IAEA reported gunfire near the power plant, where shell casings were spotted.

The smoke from the forest fire near the Zaporizhzhia NPP does not pose a radiation safety threat, but hostile activities occur alongside the shelling of power transmission lines, which may lead to complications in the preliminary operation of the plant.