October 18, 2025 — Kyiv / London:
Repair work has officially begun on the damaged power lines serving Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) after a four-week outage, marking the first tangible progress in restoring external electricity to the site since the escalation of regional fighting last month.

According to Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the repair operations commenced following the establishment of localized ceasefire zones to ensure worker safety. Grossi shared the update on social media platform X, emphasizing the significance of international coordination in preventing further nuclear risks in the region.

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IAEA Confirms Progress Amid Fragile Stability

“The work has finally started on the damaged off-site power lines to the Zaporizhzhia plant,” Grossi wrote. “Local ceasefire arrangements are holding for now, allowing technicians to access critical infrastructure.”

The Zaporizhzhia plant — Europe’s largest nuclear power station — has been under Russian control since early 2022 but remains a central concern for global nuclear safety regulators. The facility, although not currently generating electricity, relies entirely on external power to maintain cooling systems that prevent a potential nuclear meltdown.

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Coordinated Effort Between IAEA and Rosatom

The Russian-appointed management of the plant confirmed that maintenance teams were able to begin work due to what it called “close cooperation between the IAEA and Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom.”

According to a statement released via the plant’s official Telegram channel, Russia’s Defence Ministry is also providing logistical and security support to ensure the safety of engineers working near active conflict zones.

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Background: Power Line Damage and Ongoing Risks

The Zaporizhzhia facility has experienced multiple power outages over the past year as fighting near the frontlines repeatedly disrupted energy infrastructure. Each loss of external power increases the risk of nuclear instability, as the site must rely on emergency diesel generators to cool its reactors and spent fuel.

Experts from the IAEA have consistently warned that such situations present “unacceptable nuclear safety risks.” The agency has maintained a permanent on-site presence at Zaporizhzhia since 2022 to monitor the conditions and coordinate with both Ukrainian and Russian technical teams.

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A Fragile Step Toward Stability

While the initiation of repair work signals a rare moment of cooperation between the warring parties, analysts caution that progress could be easily reversed if hostilities resume.

“This is a vital but temporary step,” said one European energy security analyst. “Power line repairs reduce immediate risk, but the broader issue remains — the plant sits in an active combat zone.”

IAEA officials are expected to continue overseeing the restoration work over the coming days, with Grossi reiterating that ensuring continuous off-site power remains the agency’s top priority for the plant.