Zelensky says nuclear disaster narrowly avoided as Ukrainian plant comes back online

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this week that a nuclear crisis had been narrowly averted with the repowering of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant after it had reportedly been unplugged from the grid by Russian forces.

Watchdogs and experts have warned that the apparent disconnecting of the plant could lead to a global nuclear catastrophe if the plant's cooling systems remain offline and a runaway overheating scenario develops. 

Russian forces reportedly disconnected the plant from the local power supply this week after shelling led to fires in the area. In an address posted online late Thursday of this week, Zelensky said that backup electricity had kicked in and electricity was flowing at the plant again. 

The national leader warned that the plant was still under threat from the invading army in the area. 

"Every minute the Russian troops stay at the nuclear power plant is a risk of a global radiation disaster," he said.

The Zaporizhzhiya plant is the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world. It generates about 20% of the electricity consumed in Ukraine.