Russia announces pause in fighting to repair Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant - Ukraine's possible reaction
Photo: Fighting may be stopped to begin repairs at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant as early as October 17 (Getty Images)
On Friday, October 17, Russia may decide to suspend hostilities to carry out repairs at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), according to comments made by Rosatom head Alexey Likhachev to Russian media.
According to him, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi "has taken on certain mediation functions." Likhachev added that in addition to Rosatom, Russia's Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry are involved in the talks.
"We are talking about allocating a kind of ceasefire long enough to carry out work on both the Dniprovska line, which was destroyed on Russian territory, and the Yaroslavska line, which is under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Likhachev said.
He emphasized that it is "an extremely difficult decision" that requires reciprocity. The decision to pause fighting is expected to take effect on October 17.
According to Likhachev, the scope of work is significant, and network specialists will need about six to seven days to complete it.
"We believe that sooner or later these agreements will be reached, but we cannot say yet when the work might begin," he added.
The Russian official also commented on Grossi's diplomatic efforts in resolving the issue.
"It's important to highlight the major diplomatic work Grossi is doing. But on our side, the decision will be made through an interagency process, primarily by the leadership of the Defense Ministry," Likhachev said.
Comment from a Ukrainian official
A Ukrainian government representative told RBC-Ukraine that the start of repairs at the ZNPP is being delayed solely by Russia, as it continues to strike the plant, power lines, and repair crews.
He added that Ukraine has repeatedly signaled its readiness to begin repair work and that such efforts had never faced issues before. Currently, however, repairs are impossible due to ongoing Russian attacks.
The IAEA has proposed a two-stage plan to restore power to the Russian-occupied plant.
In the first stage, a ceasefire zone with a radius of 1.5 km would be established to allow repairs to the 750 kV Dniprovska power line, which was damaged on Russian-controlled territory.
The second stage would involve creating another ceasefire zone to repair the 330 kV Ferosplavna-1 backup line located in Kyiv-controlled territory.
Following the disconnection of the Zaporizhzhia plant from external power sources, the situation at the facility remains serious in terms of nuclear safety.
The ZNPP has long been cut off from Ukraine's power grid and is currently operating on diesel generators — an emergency mode of operation.
Read more about whether a nuclear catastrophe at the Zaporizhzhia plant is possible and what role the IAEA can play in preventing it in the material by RBC-Ukraine.
