IAEA-brokered ceasefire enables repairs at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

A localised ceasefire has come into effect near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), enabling critical repair work on damaged power infrastructure, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a post on X, cited by Caliber.Az.

"A localised ceasefire brokered by the IAEA took effect on the frontline near the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) today, paving the way for crucial power line repairs to prevent the threat of a nuclear accident.

Under arrangements monitored by IAEA experts, technicians from both sides are expected in the coming days to begin repairing war-related damage to the 750 kilovolt (kV) Dniprovska power line. The work follows extensive de-mining operations in the area.

The 750 kV line has been out of service for more than two months, leaving Europe’s largest nuclear power plant dependent on a single 330 kV line to supply electricity required for cooling its six shut-down reactors. In recent weeks, the facility has repeatedly lost access to even this backup line, forcing it to rely on emergency diesel generators as a last resort.

The current arrangement marks the sixth temporary ceasefire negotiated by Grossi between the two sides since late last year, aimed at maintaining off-site power supply and ensuring nuclear safety.

This latest repair effort has been complicated by the location of the damage, which is situated atop high pylons across the line of control in the Dnipro River.

Grossi said both parties had engaged constructively in weeks of complex negotiations facilitated by the IAEA and agreed to halt hostilities in the area to allow the repairs to proceed.

"The IAEA will continue to do everything it can to help protect people and the environment from the risk of a nuclear accident that would benefit absolutely no one and only add further to wartime devastation and suffering," the statement reads.