An explosion during demining operations at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has resulted in injuries, prompting the IAEA to urge strict adherence to a localized ceasefire agreement between Russian and Ukrainian forces.
IAEA Calls for Restraint Following Incident
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has demanded maximum caution and full respect for the ceasefire at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. While the agreement took effect on Friday, Russia immediately accused Ukraine of violating the terms following reports of casualties among Russian personnel during demining activities.
The IAEA confirmed it received reports of the incident, noting that several Russian soldiers were wounded. Simultaneously, the agency stated that Ukrainian authorities have maintained their commitment to respecting the ceasefire within the plant’s territory.
Conflicting Accounts on the Cause of Injuries
Alexey Likhachev, head of Rosatom, claimed via social media that a Ukrainian drone strike targeted personnel conducting demining and power line repairs. He reported three engineers were wounded, two of them seriously. Reuters reports that Rosatom later issued a statement citing a total of five people injured.
Likhachev asserted that the attack was deliberate. Russia has frequently accused Ukraine of striking the power plant, allegations which Kyiv has consistently denied.
Urgent Repairs to the 750 kV Line
Technicians from Ukraine and Russia, under IAEA supervision, are scheduled to begin repairs on the damaged 750 kV Dniprovska power line. This work is a core component of the local ceasefire agreement and is considered a critical step for nuclear safety.
The Dniprovska line is the primary connection between the Russian-occupied plant and the Ukrainian power grid. Since late March, the facility has relied on a single 330 kV reserve line, which is essential for cooling its six reactors. The site has recently experienced multiple blackouts, forcing the use of emergency diesel generators as a last resort.
Military Occupation and Safety Concerns
Russian forces have occupied the facility since the early days of the invasion. Kyiv has repeatedly alleged that Moscow uses the plant as a military shield and a tool for nuclear blackmail, while also reporting that local staff have been subjected to forced collaboration, torture, and killings.
