The IAEA has been informed of a serious incident that occurred during today’s de-mining phase of the agreed localized ceasefire near the Zaporizhzhya NPP, in which some Russian military personnel were injured.
While the incident is currently being investigated, the Ukrainian side has informed the IAEA that it remains committed to the IAEA-brokered ceasefire that it and Russia agreed to after weeks of complex negotiations.
IAEA DG Rafael Grossi calls for maximum military restraint and full adherence to the ceasefire so that the power line repairs can proceed as planned in coming days, adding that they are crucial for efforts to prevent a nuclear accident at the ZNPP.
The urgency and necessity of repairing the ZNPP’s main 750 kilovolt (kV) power line was underscored by another loss of off-site power event at the plant today, the 18th since the war started.
The ZNPP once again had to rely on emergency diesel generators after its sole remaining power line – the 330 kV Ferosplavna – was disconnected due to reported attacks on two electrical substations located on the other side of the Dnipro River.
With the 750 kV line disconnected for more than two months, the ZNPP has been relying on the 330 kV line, making it extremely vulnerable to conflict-related grid disruptions. The 330 kV line has been disconnected repeatedly in recent weeks, including today.
The restoration of the 750 kV Dniprovska line would be an important positive step for nuclear safety, which is in everybody’s vital interest, DG Grossi says.
: International Atomic Energy Agency