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The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is negotiating a localized ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine to allow repairs at a facility near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the agency said on Saturday.
The IAEA said on “X” that it had been informed of several drone attacks in recent weeks that further threatened nuclear safety and security at the plant.
Attacks damaged power infrastructure
Strikes on Sept. 19, 20 and 27 hit the nearby Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant, damaging transformers that are important for supplying external power to the nuclear plant, the IAEA said. The Zaporizhzhia facility has experienced frequent external power outages during the Russia-Ukraine war.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi is negotiating with both sides for a new localized ceasefire to facilitate the repairs, with the aim of putting it into effect soon. It would be the eighth ceasefire brokered by the agency to help secure external power for the nuclear plant.
Radiation monitoring station also hit
An attack on Sept. 22 reportedly disabled an external radiation monitoring station, reducing the ability to monitor radiation levels near the plant, the agency said. Other strikes hit buildings in Enerhodar, where many of the plant’s staff live.
Grossi said attacks that endanger nuclear safety and security are unacceptable and must stop immediately. He also called on all sides to exercise maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities and their power infrastructure to prevent the risk of an accident during the conflict.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe’s largest nuclear power station and one of the world’s 10 largest, remains at the centre of persistent concerns about a potential nuclear disaster. Moscow and Kyiv have repeatedly accused each other of carrying out attacks in the area.
IAEA personnel have been stationed at the plant since Sept. 1, 2022. Russian forces have controlled it since March 2022.
