CNN has published satellite images from Planet Labs and the European Space Agency showing fires and smoke in the vicinity of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. Three satellite images taken on August 24 at 10:39, 11:30 and 11:35 local time show the fire to the south of the plant and the spread of smoke in the northern part of the complex.

On August 25, Zaporizhzhya NPP was completely disconnected from the power grid for the first time and switched to standby generators and power on the ZNPP-Zaporozhskaya TPP line. As The Insider reported in the energy industry, without backup power, a sudden disconnection of the ZNPP from power transmission lines could lead to a meltdown of the reactor.

According to nuclear physicist Andrey Ozharovsky, the Russian authorities can use the shutdown of the station as an excuse to connect it to the Crimea. But this will require the restoration of power lines towards the Crimea and Russia and the synchronization of generators with the Russian power system.