IAEA Urges Swift Power Restoration at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant After 10 Days on Emergency Supply

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine has been operating solely on emergency diesel generators for ten consecutive days after the last external power line was damaged and disconnected. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is actively engaging with both Russian and Ukrainian authorities to restore off-site power, emphasizing the urgent need for improved security conditions to allow technicians to make repairs safely. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi warned of the severe risks of a complete blackout, including nuclear fuel meltdown and radiation release, and stressed that the issue hinges on political will rather than technical feasibility. Ukrainian officials accuse Russian forces of deliberately cutting power to connect the plant to Russia's grid, while Russia accuses Ukraine of endangering nuclear safety through strikes near the facility. Despite sufficient fuel reserves to keep backup generators running for about ten days, the prolonged reliance on these systems is unsustainable and dangerous. The situation remains critical, with international calls for urgent action to prevent a potential nuclear disaster at Europe's largest nuclear power plant.