KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stark warning to the international community after Russian shelling cut power to the defunct Chernobyl nuclear plant, forcing it to run on emergency generators.

The blackout affected the New Safe Confinement structure that houses remnants of the reactor core from the 1986 disaster. The UN’s atomic energy watchdog confirmed that two diesel generators are now supplying electricity to the site, raising concerns about the safety of radioactive containment.

Zelensky called the incident a “global threat,” emphasizing that continued attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure—including nuclear facilities—pose risks far beyond the region. This comes just days after the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant also lost power, intensifying fears of a broader nuclear crisis.

International pressure is mounting for Russia to cease strikes on critical infrastructure. The situation remains volatile, with emergency teams monitoring radiation levels and power stability at both sites.

BriefNews.lk will continue to follow this developing story.