Ceasefire for Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant repairs may be announced on 17 October – Sky News
A decision on a temporary halt in hostilities to repair power lines connected to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) could be taken as soon as 17 October.
Source: Sky News
Details: Alexei Likhachev, head of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, said that introducing a "quiet period" would allow work on two damaged power transmission lines – one on territory controlled by Russia and the other by Ukraine.
"This is a very difficult decision that requires a fair balance. It's very tentative, very preliminary, and it's possible that such a decision will be implemented as early as tomorrow," Likhachev said.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe, is not currently producing electricity. It depends on an external power supply to cool nuclear materials and prevent a severe accident.
Read more: Record blackout at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant: is there a risk of nuclear disaster?
Background:
- On 23 September at 16:56, the only power transmission line supplying the ZNPP from Ukraine's power grid was disconnected. This blackout is the tenth since the plant was occupied by Russian forces.
- Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Russia is attempting to gain International Atomic Energy Agency support in its efforts to seize control of the plant.
- The IAEA officially confirmed the dangerous situation at the ZNPP, which has been without its main power source due to actions by the Russian forces.
- Russia has deliberately disconnected the ZNPP from Ukraine's power grid under the guise of a "test" and is preparing to link it to its own power system.
- During the takeover of the ZNPP in the temporarily occupied city of Enerhodar, Russian forces cut the plant's power lines from both sides.
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