Ukraine and Russia have reached an agreement on a local ceasefire to facilitate repair work on the high-voltage power lines supplying the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), mediated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, the announcement was made via the IAEA's official account on X (formerly Twitter). The statement noted that another local ceasefire, brokered by the agency, has come into force to restore the 330 kV backup power supply to the facility.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that demining operations are currently underway to ensure safe access for repair crews. Grossi previously indicated that in January, the agency initiated consultations regarding the establishment of a temporary ceasefire zone approximately 10 kilometers from the damaged 330 kV switchgear at the ZNPP. The last backup 330 kV line was disconnected due to ongoing military operations, leaving the plant dependent on a single operational 750 kV line for its cooling and safety functions.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, located in southeastern Ukraine, is the largest nuclear power station in Europe and among the 10 largest in the world. Since the onset of the conflict, the facility has faced significant risks due to shelling and the loss of external power sources, which are critical for maintaining the cooling systems of its six reactors. The IAEA has maintained a permanent presence at the site since September 2022 to monitor nuclear safety and security, repeatedly calling for a protection zone to prevent a potential radiological accident.
