IAEA seeks ceasefire zones to repair Zaporizhzhia NPP power lines

Associated Press reported this, citing a European diplomat. A Russian diplomat confirmed parts of the plan, though AP did not specify which details.

In the first stage, the IAEA proposes to create a ceasefire zone with a radius of 1.5 kilometers to repair the Dniprovska 750-kilovolt power line — the plant’s main supply line — which was damaged in territory under Russian control.

The second stage would involve creating another ceasefire zone to repair the backup Ferosplavna-1 330-kilovolt line on territory controlled by Ukraine.

According to confidential documents seen by AP, IAEA representatives were supposed to be present during the repair work planned between October 11 and 17. This was also confirmed by the European diplomat.

However, Russia did not provide timely security guarantees for repair crews to begin work as scheduled, while the Ukrainian side provided all necessary assurances.

The IAEA declined to comment on the timeline, saying only that Director General Rafael Grossi “is engaging intensively with both sides” to restore electricity supply and “help prevent a nuclear accident.”

What is happening at the Zaporizhzhia NPP

On September 23, Russian forces once again damaged the power transmission line supplying the plant from Ukraine’s energy system. At 4:56 p.m. that day, the last transmission line feeding the plant from the Ukrainian grid was disconnected — marking the tenth and longest blackout at the facility since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.

The plant has been forced to rely on diesel generators after losing external power. Seven generators are currently operating, while 13 are on standby. This creates a critical situation threatening nuclear safety not only in Ukraine but also across Europe.

Earlier, Ukraine's Energoatom company explained that emergency diesel generators are limited both in operating time and fuel reserves. Therefore, their activation marks the start of a countdown to potential nuclear fuel melting.

• On October 9, Rafael Grossi said work had begun to restore external power to the plant. However, supply has still not been resumed.
• Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Russia may have deliberately cut off the Zaporizhzhia plant from Ukraine’s grid in preparation for connecting it to Russia’s own energy system.