UPDATES WITH POWER RESTORED, ENERGY MINISTER’S STATEMENT, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE
By Alperen Aktas
ISTANBUL (AA) - Power supply has been fully restored at the decommissioned Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant following a Russian strike on energy infrastructure in the city of Slavutych, Ukraine’s energy minister said late Wednesday.
Svitlana Hrynchuk announced that electricity at all facilities, including the New Safe Confinement structure, had been restored. She stressed that radiation levels remain within control limits and pose no threat to the population.
“Thanks to our energy workers for their lightning-fast and effective work! Your work is safety for all of Ukraine and Europe,” Hrynchuk said in a statement.
Earlier in the day, Ukraine’s Energy Ministry said voltage surges cut power to the New Safe Confinement structure which isolates the plant’s destroyed fourth reactor and prevents radioactive releases.
Russia has not commented on the accusation, and international verification remains difficult due to the ongoing conflict.