The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called for maximum military restraint and strict adherence to the local ceasefire following reports of Russian personnel being injured near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The IAEA confirmed that some Russian military personnel sustained injuries during the de-mining phase of the agreed local ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Earlier, the IAEA facilitated a local ceasefire near the Zaporizhzhia NPP to allow repairs to the plant’s crucial power line. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized the significance of restoring the off-site power line for nuclear safety, highlighting its importance for all parties involved.
Grossi reiterated the critical need to repair the main 750-kilovolt power line at the Zaporizhzhia NPP, which has been disconnected for over two months. The plant had been relying on emergency diesel generators to cool its reactors during power outages caused by military conflicts.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, a major facility in Europe, has been under Russian control since March 2022. Alexey Likhachev, the director general of Russia’s Rosatom, reported Ukrainian drone strikes on the plant, resulting in injuries to three engineers, two of whom are in serious condition.
The incident is under investigation by the IAEA, with the Ukrainian side reaffirming its commitment to the ceasefire. Repair work has commenced on the key external power line serving the Zaporizhzhia NPP, with specialists working on restoring the crucial 750-kilovolt Dniprovska transmission line that had been disconnected since March 24.
The restoration of the Dniprovska line is expected to enhance power reliability and improve nuclear and radiation safety at the plant, as efforts continue to protect personnel working on energy infrastructure amidst the ongoing conflict.
