IAEA: Ukraine, Russia agree to ‘localized ceasefire’ at nuclear plant

Ukraine and Russia have both agreed to implement a “localized ceasefire” at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant to enable repairs on the site’s “last remaining backup power line,” the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday.

“Technicians from Ukraine’s electrical grid operator are expected to begin repair work on the 330 kV line – damaged and disconnected as a result of military activity on 2 January – in the coming days,” the agency said in a statement.

The IAEA said it had deployed a team to oversee the work.

The Zaporizhzhya plant, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe which has been shut down amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, currently relies solely on its 750 kV main power line, the agency said.

It is the fourth time that Ukraine and Russia have agreed on a localized ceasefire at the plant located in southern Ukraine since Russian forces occupied the site following the start of the war in February 2022.

While all reactors have since been shut down, electricity is still needed for cooling, and supplied via two power lines that have been repeatedly damaged by shelling.

Diesel generators take over if the power supply fails.

IAEA experts present at the site have reported of regular audible explosions near the plant.