Russia Proposes ‘Local Ceasefire’ to Restore Zaporizhzhia NPP Operations: Key Facts
The ongoing conflict surrounding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has escalated with Russia proposing a so-called ‘local ceasefire’ aimed at restoring external power supply to the station, which is under Russian control.
Moscow suggests a temporary halt of hostilities in the plant’s vicinity to allow repairs to two damaged power lines — the ‘Dniprovskaya’ and ‘Feroslaving-1,’ crucial for maintaining stable electricity delivery.
According to BBC reports, citing Russia’s representative at international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, repair works may begin as early as the end of the week, provided an agreement on a localized ceasefire is reached.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concern over the situation, emphasizing that the station is in a critical and potentially dangerous state due to recent attacks.
Because of the damage to external power lines, the station temporarily switched to backup diesel generators, creating risks to nuclear safety.
Zelensky noted that ongoing assaults threaten the cooling of nuclear fuel, which could lead to severe consequences.
Russia denies involvement in the shelling and blames Ukraine for the attacks, while Kyiv strives to establish a joint repair plan to restore external power to the plant.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiga recently stated that Russia intentionally disconnected the station from the energy grid to test its integration into their system.
The IAEA’s Rafael Mariano Grossi warned that a complete shutdown of backup systems could result in fuel melting and nuclear disaster.
Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest in Europe and seized by Russian forces in 2022, currently does not generate electricity but requires stable power for coolant system safety.
Ukraine is ready to collaborate on repairs and restoration efforts to ensure the facility’s safety, but the situation remains one of the most tense and perilous in modern European conflict zones.