Ukrainian shelling cuts off Zaporozhye NPP power line

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The city of Energodar authorities announced Saturday that the electricity supply from the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (NPP) - Europe's largest NPP - to the areas controlled by the Kiev regime was cut due to a malfunction caused by Ukrainian shelling. 

The city authorities told Sputnik that specialists are working to restart a power line damaged as a result of shelling by the Ukrainian forces, adding that the damage was detected in lines 330 and 750.

The Energodar authorities explained that experts at the site say that the current that feeds the Kiev-controlled areas has been oscillating and disrupted due to technical malfunctions.

For its part, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that the Zaporozhye NPP had been disconnected from its last remaining main power line to the grid and is now relying on a reserve line.

In a statement, the agency said that the NPP "has once again lost the connection to its last remaining main external power line, but the facility is continuing to supply electricity to the grid through a reserve line."

The agency pointed out that, "Less than 48 hours after Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi on Thursday established the presence of the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to ZaporizhzhIa (ISAMZ) at the facility in southern Ukraine, the Agency's experts were told by senior Ukrainian staff that the ZNPP's fourth operational 750 Kilovolt (kV) power line was down. The three others were lost earlier during the conflict."

"One reactor is still operating and producing electricity both for cooling and other essential safety functions at the site and for households, factories and others through the grid."

Ukraine troops, mercenaries fail in taking control of NPP

Earlier, Russia's Ministry of Defense confirmed that Ukraine made another attempt to take over the Zaporozhye NPP on Friday. More than 40 motor boats, divided into two groups, carried over 150 Ukrainian special operations forces in addition to foreign mercenaries. 

According to the ministry, the troops tried to land on the coast of the Kakhovka dam not far from Energodar where the NPP is located. 

Quickly detected by the Russian forces, the troops were targeted by Su-30 jets and Ka-52 attack helicopters, sinking around 20 boats. As the surviving troops were retreating, they were targeted by Russian artillery.

Moscow reported the deaths of 47 Ukrainian service personnel, including 10 foreign mercenaries, and at least 20 wounded. 

The ministry said that despite the presence of IAEA representatives, the Kiev regime once again attempted to seize the Zaporozhye NPP.

The latest purported failed Ukrainian operation came briefly two days after Kiev forces reportedly attempted to take the Zaporozhye NPP shortly before a team of IAEA specialists, including the organization's chief, Rafael Grossi, arrived at the facility for an inspection.

The latest attacks occurred after the main IAEA delegation left, despite Grossi's claim that six of the agency's specialists remained in Energodar. Four of them will return after the weekend, while two will remain at the NPP to maintain a "permanent presence".

According to the Russian military, the unsuccessful September 1 operation aimed at seizing the NPP and using UN nuclear watchdog personnel as "human shields" to sustain control over the facility.

On Friday, Ukraine claimed it shelled a Russian base in Energodar, destroying three artillery systems as well as an ammunition depot.