Russia is poised to strike power lines serving Europe's largest nuclear facility within the coming days, a source with knowledge of the situation has revealed.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in southern Ukraine is said to face a dire threat, with a major Russian assault on the horizon.
"The threat is at ZNPP," the source told Fox News. "There are talks of a massive attack either tonight or in the coming nights."
Ukraine's Defence Ministry intelligence directorate warned on January 17 that Moscow was contemplating strikes on electricity transmission substations essential for nuclear plant operations, framing the potential attacks as an attempt to coerce Kyiv into accepting surrender terms.
The source indicated these concerns have been raised repeatedly within Ukrainian Government circles.
The facility comprises six VVER-1000 pressurised water reactors and has remained under Russian control since March 2022.
While the plant's reactors are currently shut down and not generating electricity, external power remains essential for operating cooling and safety systems.
Ukrainian officials initially indicated that Moscow's strategy centred on high-voltage transmission infrastructure rather than targeting the reactors directly, but the source confirmed that the power lines feeding the ZNPP are now the main focus.
Russian forces also struck energy infrastructure in the Odesa region on Sunday, according to Ukraine's Emergency Service.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine is said to face an imminent threat
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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has issued repeated warnings that interruptions to external power supplies and transmission lines present grave risks to nuclear safety.
A localised ceasefire was brokered on January 16 between Russian and Ukrainian forces to permit repairs on a backup power line at the plant that had sustained damage, with the IAEA coordinating the arrangement.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated: "The IAEA continues to work closely with both sides to ensure nuclear safety at the ZNPP and to prevent a nuclear accident during the conflict.
"This temporary ceasefire, the fourth we have negotiated, demonstrates the indispensable role that we continue to play."
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The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has remained under Russian control since March 2022
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He added that ongoing military activity degrading Ukraine's power grid carries direct consequences for nuclear safety across the country's atomic facilities.
The source revealed that intelligence from the Ukrainian Parliament and Security Service indicates Russian forces have issued an ultimatum - cease attacks on Russian tankers, oil refineries and power stations, or face the complete destruction of Kyiv's energy infrastructure.
"The Parliament knows this. But we keep shelling," the source added, noting that Ukrainian leadership at the highest levels understands the potential consequences of continued strikes on Russian assets.
The source described a dire humanitarian situation, with temperatures plunging to minus 20 degrees and citizens enduring severe hardship without electricity, heating or water supplies.
Volodymyr Zelensky has recently made urgent appeals to Nato allies for additional air-defence missiles
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President Volodymyr Zelensky has recently made urgent appeals to Nato allies for additional air-defence missiles, warning that certain systems are critically low on ammunition.
He wrote on social media: "This week alone has seen more than 1,300 attack drones, around 1,050 guided aerial bombs and 29 missiles of various types in total.
"That is why Ukraine still needs more protection - above all, more missiles for air defence systems.
"If Russia is deliberately dragging out the diplomatic process, the world’s response must be decisive - more assistance for Ukraine and more pressure on the aggressor."