IAEA reaches agreement with Ukraine and Russia on ceasefire near Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
Photo: IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi (Getty Images)
Today, January 16, the IAEA reached an agreement with Ukraine and Russia on a temporary ceasefire near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. This will allow repairs to the last remaining backup power line supplying the facility, according to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
According to the statement, Ukrainian technical specialists are expected to begin repair work in the coming days on the 330 kV power line, which was damaged and disconnected as a result of hostilities.
Following the outage, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant is currently dependent on a single operational 750 kV high-voltage transmission line.
"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," Grossi said.
Situation at the Zaporizhzhia NPP
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been under Russian control since March 2022. Since then, Russia has repeatedly attempted to legitimize its management of the facility, disregarding international law.
Experts view the latest actions by Russia’s nuclear regulator, Rostekhnadzor, as another element of nuclear blackmail, increasing risks not only for the region but for global security as a whole.
The United States has proposed a model of joint management of the Zaporizhzhia plant involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stressed that such a format would be unfair.
Earlier, on November 19, Ukraine restored power supplies to the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant after a line was damaged by a Russian attack. Prior to that, the facility had completely lost external power ten times.
However, on December 6, the plant again lost external electricity supply. It is currently connected to only one external power line, which continues to pose serious nuclear safety risks.
At the end of December, Ukraine and Russia reached a local ceasefire agreement in the area of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, making it possible to begin repairs to the damaged power line.
