Ukraine and Russia agree local ceasefire to prevent nuclear risk at Zaporizhzhia
A local ceasefire has been introduced near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant due to the risk of a nuclear accident (photo: Getty Images)
A local ceasefire took effect on the frontline near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant on the morning of June 5 to allow repairs to power lines and prevent the risk of a nuclear accident, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
It is noted that, under the supervision of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency, technicians from both sides will begin repairing war-related damage to the 750-kilovolt Dniprovska power line in the coming days following extensive demining of the area.
This power line was disconnected more than two months ago, leaving Europe's largest nuclear power plant fully dependent on a single 330-kilovolt line for the electricity needed to cool its six shut-down reactors.
In recent weeks, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has also lost access to that line several times, forcing it to start emergency diesel generators as a last resort.
This is already the sixth temporary ceasefire since Director General Rafael Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency began talks with Russia and Ukraine to help secure off-site power supplies and guarantee nuclear safety.
This time, preparations for the repairs were complicated by the location of the damage to the power line: at the tops of high transmission towers across the line of control along the Dnipro River.
Grossi said that Russia and Ukraine had worked constructively with the International Atomic Energy Agency during weeks of delicate and complex negotiations, and both sides agreed to cease fire for the sake of nuclear safety.
"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 agency chief said.
Situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
On June 3, the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost its external power supply for the 17th time after a drone strike on a substation on the opposite bank of the Dnipro River.
Emergency diesel generators took over the load, but nuclear safety was once again put at risk.
In addition, on the morning of June 4, the Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant came under heavy attack. This poses a serious threat to the power supply of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
Earlier, inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency visited the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant following claims by Russian authorities about damage at the facility and confirmed normal radiation levels. During the inspection, the mission had to interrupt its work and take cover because of the sounds of drones and gunfire near the site.
