Repairs Underway at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
KYIV, Ukraine – Repairs have commenced to restore the power supply to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, as announced by the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog. This work aims to alleviate weeks of sporadic power outages that have necessitated reliance on backup generators.
Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), noted that both Russian and Ukrainian military forces established a special ceasefire zone to facilitate safe repair work. He emphasized the importance of restoring off-site power, calling it “critical to nuclear safety and security.”
Grossi remarked, “Both countries engaged constructively with the IAEA to make this complex restoration plan possible.”
Svitlana Grinchuk, Ukraine’s Energy Minister, confirmed that local experts are working on re-establishing the power lines. She indicated that maintaining stable operations and connecting to Ukraine’s power grid are crucial in preventing a potential nuclear disaster. Interestingly, this marks the 42nd instance of power line restoration since Russia’s invasion escalated in February 2022.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, which stands as Europe’s largest nuclear facility, has been dependent on diesel backup generators since September 23 when the last external power lines were cut during an attack, with both sides having claimed responsibility.
This facility has been under Russian control since the early phases of the full-scale invasion. Although it has not been active, reliable power is essential for cooling the six reactors and managing spent fuel to avert a catastrophic incident.
Ukraine’s air force reported ongoing Russian airstrikes, with three missiles and 164 drones launched overnight. The Ukrainian military successfully intercepted 136 of those drones.
Local authorities reported that a Russian drone hit a gas station in the Zarychny district of northeastern Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast, resulting in injuries to two women, aged 51 and 53, as stated by local governor Oleh Frikholov.
In a counterclaim, Russia’s Ministry of Defense stated that its air defense forces shot down 41 Ukrainian drones overnight.
