Russian military personnel sustained injuries in a significant incident at the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed that the incident occurred during de-mining operations following a local ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. This ceasefire aims to facilitate power line repairs crucial for averting a potential nuclear disaster at the plant, which has experienced power outages due to conflicts in the area.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest and among the world’s top 10, has been under Russian control since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA director general, urged maximum military restraint and strict adherence to the ceasefire to ensure the safety efforts at the plant continue. Details about the recent injuries remain unclear.
The urgency of repairing the plant’s main 750 kilovolt (kV) power line was emphasized by the IAEA due to ongoing power disruptions. The plant had to resort to emergency diesel generators after its remaining power line was disconnected following reported attacks on electrical substations across the Dnipro River. With the main power line out of service for over two months, the plant’s reliance on the vulnerable 330 kV line has made it susceptible to grid disruptions amid the conflict.
Mr. Grossi emphasized that restoring the 750 kV Dniprovska line would significantly enhance nuclear safety at the plant. The IAEA has been closely monitoring the power plant throughout the conflict due to concerns about a potential nuclear crisis, given its proximity to the front line in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region.
