التحديث الثاني والأربعون بعد الثلاثمائة - بيان المدير العام للوكالة الدولية للطاقة الذرية بشأن الوضع في أوكرانيا (باللغة الإنكليزية)

The fifth local ceasefire negotiated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) between Ukraine and the Russian Federation commenced today, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi confirmed. The temporary ceasefire enables the restoration of the off-site back-up power supply to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

"I appreciate both the Russian Federation and Ukraine for their constructive engagement in agreeing to another localized ceasefire," Director General Grossi said. "It paves the way for repairs to strengthen the site's off-site power in our efforts to maintain nuclear safety and security at ZNPP."

The IAEA has previously facilitated four temporary ceasefire agreements, which allowed five separate repairs to power lines connected to the ZNPP.

Preparatory works, including de-mining activities, began today at the 330 kV switchyard of the Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant (ZTPP), through which back-up power is provided to the ZNPP. After one to two days of preparatory work, technicians will assess and initiate repairs in the presence of the IAEA team based at the ZNPP.

ZNPP's Ferosplavna-1 330 kV back-up off-site power line was disconnected on 10 February, reportedly as a result of military activity. Since then, ZNPP has been solely powered by the 750 kV Dniprovska off-site power line to ensure nuclear safety and security functions. Last week, the Ferosplavna-1 power line was successfully energized. However, repairs are needed so that power can be supplied to the switchyard and then onto the ZNPP.

"The IAEA has once again demonstrated our essential role to minimize the risk of a nuclear accident during this war, and we will continue to do so for as long as it takes," Director General Grossi said. "Once again, I remind both sides of the need to abide by the Five Concrete Principles to prevent an accident at the ZNPP."

Over the past week, the IAEA team based at the ZNPP reported hearing military activities each day, including a number of explosions in close proximity to the ZNPP.

Additionally, on Thursday, military activity once again affected the Ukrainian electrical substations essential for maintaining nuclear safety and security, impacting operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) across Ukraine. Two NPPs were disconnected from one off-site power line each, and two NPPs were also required to reduce operating power. At the Chornobyl NPP site, one off-site power line was also disconnected, and an emergency diesel generator of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) automatically started as a result of electrical fluctuations. There was not a total loss of off-site power to the NSC, according to the IAEA team at the site.

Nine drones were detected within the Chornobyl NPP site monitoring area on Wednesday night and one on Thursday night, while three drones were detected 12 kilometres from the South Ukraine NPP on Wednesday night. One missile was also observed within the South Ukraine NPP monitoring area on Sunday night.

The IAEA continued with deliveries under its comprehensive assistance programme for Ukraine amid the on-going conflict, now entering its fifth year. One liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometer was delivered to the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Laboratory to assist in the analysis of environmental samples. A utility cart for Quantulus GCT liquid scintillation counter was delivered to the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. The deliveries were made possible with funds from Japan and Sweden.

Related Resources

• Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine