Ukraine and Russia agree to local ceasefire near Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
Illustrative photo: Ukraine and Russia agree on ceasefire to repair power lines near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (GettyImages)
Ukraine and Russia have agreed on a local ceasefire near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. This made it possible to begin repair work on a power transmission line near the facility, according to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi.
“IAEA team is monitoring repairs expected to last a few days, as part of persistent efforts to prevent nuclear accident during military conflict,” the statement said.
According to him, the work is being carried out as part of the agency’s continuous efforts to prevent a nuclear accident amid full-scale war.
Grossi thanked both sides for agreeing to a new temporary “window of silence,” which allowed the restoration of power transmission between the distribution substations of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant. It is expected that this will help improve nuclear safety at the site.
Situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been under Russian occupation since March 2022. During this time, Russia has repeatedly attempted to legitimize its control over the facility, in violation of international law.
Recent actions by Russia’s nuclear regulator, Rostekhnadzor, are viewed as another act of nuclear blackmail, increasing security threats to the region and the world.
At the same time, as part of US peace initiatives, a format of joint management of the Zaporizhzhia NPP involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States has been proposed. However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that such an approach is unfair.
Earlier reports said that on November 19, Ukraine managed to restore power supply to the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP after a transmission line was damaged by Russian shelling. Before that, the plant had lost external power completely ten times.
On December 6, the Zaporizhzhia NPP once again lost external power supply. Currently, the plant is connected to only one external power line, which continues to pose risks to nuclear safety.
