KYIV, Ukraine — Efforts to restore the damaged power supply to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant have commenced, according to Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The repairs aim to end a precarious four-week outage during which the plant relied on backup generators. Grossi emphasized the importance of restoring off-site power, describing it as ‘crucial for nuclear safety and security.’
In a rare display of cooperation, Russian and Ukrainian forces established special ceasefire zones to facilitate the safe execution of repairs. Grossi commended both sides for their constructive engagement with the IAEA, enabling the complex repair plan to proceed. Ukrainian Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk confirmed the involvement of Ukrainian specialists in restoring power lines to the plant. She highlighted the plant’s stable operation and connection to the Ukrainian power grid as essential to preventing a nuclear incident. This marks the 42nd time since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 that power lines to the plant have required restoration.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe’s largest nuclear power station, has been operating on diesel backup generators since September 23, when its last external power line was severed in attacks. Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of responsibility for the attacks. Although the plant is under Russian control and not in service, it requires reliable power to cool its six shutdown reactors and spent fuel, averting potential catastrophic nuclear incidents.
Meanwhile, the conflict continues to escalate elsewhere in Ukraine. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched three missiles and 164 drones overnight, with Ukrainian forces successfully intercepting 136 of the drones. In the Zarichny district of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, two women aged 51 and 53 were injured after Russian drones targeted a gas station, according to local officials. On the other side, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed its air defenses had shot down 41 Ukrainian drones overnight.
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