Repairs Underway at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant

Efforts to restore power at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant are now in progress, according to the head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The initiative aims to end a four-week power outage that forced the facility to rely on backup generators. The IAEA’s Director General, Rafael Grossi, announced that Russian and Ukrainian forces have agreed to establish special ceasefire zones to facilitate the repairs safely.

The IAEA emphasized the importance of restoring off-site power, calling it “crucial for nuclear safety and security.” In a statement, Grossi noted that “both sides engaged constructively with the IAEA to enable the complex repair plan to proceed.” This collaboration marks a significant step towards ensuring the safety of the plant.

Ukrainian Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk confirmed that Ukrainian specialists are actively involved in the restoration efforts. She highlighted the necessity of a stable power supply for the plant’s operation and connection to the Ukrainian power grid, stating that this is essential to prevent potential nuclear incidents. Grynchuk also mentioned that this marks the 42nd time since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 that power lines to the plant have needed restoration.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, located in an area under Russian control since the onset of the invasion, is currently not in service. However, it requires a reliable power supply to cool its six shutdown reactors and manage spent fuel safely. The facility has been operating on diesel backup generators since September 23, 2023, when its last external power line was severed. Both sides have blamed each other for the attacks that caused this disruption.

In a broader context, Russia continues its aerial bombardment of Ukraine. Over the previous night, Ukrainian Air Force officials reported that Russia launched three missiles and 164 drones, of which Ukrainian forces successfully shot down 136. Local authorities in the northeastern Sumy region reported two injuries resulting from Russian drone strikes targeting a gas station in the Zarichny district.

The ongoing conflict’s complexity was underscored by recent diplomatic activities. Just a day before repairs commenced, Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. Following this, Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone. Trump described the meeting with Zelenskyy as “very interesting and cordial,” urging both leaders to pursue peace. Discussions reportedly included the possibility of the U.S. supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, potentially in exchange for Ukrainian drones.

The former president announced plans to meet with Putin in Budapest soon, expressing confidence that he could persuade the Russian leader to consider an end to the conflict. Despite Trump’s optimism, Russia has not signaled any intentions to cease hostilities. Trump has voiced frustration with Putin’s actions in recent months, while First Lady Melania Trump mentioned her independent efforts to help return Ukrainian children to their families.

As the situation evolves, the focus remains on the safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the broader implications for regional stability. The repairs are a critical step in addressing the ongoing risks associated with the facility amid the ongoing conflict.