Local ceasefire takes effect near Zaporizhzhia NPP – IAEA

On September 5, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced the implementation of a local ceasefire near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. This agreement, mediated by the IAEA, aimed to allow repairs to a damaged power line and restore external electricity supplies to the facility. The ceasefire took effect on Saturday, when Ukrainian specialists would commence repairs on the 330-kilovolt Ferrosplavna-1 power line, which was destroyed by fighting on August 20.

Prior to the damage, the plant had been relying on emergency generators to cool its reactors. With the plant now running low on diesel fuel, it faced a critical situation, as it could lose all power within days unless external electricity supplies were restored or additional fuel could be delivered. The IAEA emphasized that this was the seventh local ceasefire around the Zaporizhzhia plant since Russia's full-scale invasion began, aiming to prevent a potential nuclear accident.

Just two weeks prior, on August 20, Energoatom reported the 27th blackout at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant since the invasion started, highlighting the worsening condition of the plant's equipment and escalating nuclear and radiation safety risks.