Local ceasefire declared near Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant for seventh time
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plaint in Ukraine (photo: Getty Images)
Another local ceasefire has been agreed upon around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to allow repairs to a power line. The plant has been operating on generators for an extended period, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Agency Director General Rafael Grossi said another local ceasefire around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant took effect today, September 5. During the pause in fighting, Ukrainian technical specialists are expected to begin work to restore the damaged power line.
The area must be cleared of mines before repair work can begin. Once that is completed, specialists will be able to start restoring the line.
The IAEA director general said both sides had worked constructively with the agency to help ensure nuclear safety and protect the plant.
Zaporizhzhia plant left without external power
The plant lost its connection to the last available power line, the 330-kilovolt Ferosplavna-1 line, on August 20, due to fighting on the northern bank of the Dnipro River.
Since then, the plant has been forced to rely on emergency diesel generators. They provide power to systems needed to cool the six reactors and spent nuclear fuel pools.
The situation remains critical as diesel fuel reserves continue to run low. If external power cannot be restored or additional fuel is not delivered to the plant, there is a risk of a total loss of power in the coming days.
Grossi said an IAEA team would monitor the repair work while the ceasefire agreement remains in effect.
The current ceasefire is the seventh that the IAEA director general has managed to secure as part of the agency's efforts to prevent a nuclear accident during the war.
On August 20, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant already experienced its 27th blackout. The facility lost its connection to the last external power line and was forced to switch to emergency diesel generators. It was the 15th such incident since the beginning of 2026.
Last week, Grossi warned that the plant had only about 10 days' worth of diesel fuel remaining.
