Restoration Efforts at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Amid Continued Conflict in Ukraine

Work has commenced to repair the damaged power lines supplying Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, following a significant power outage that had persisted since September 23, according to the United Nations' nuclear watchdog on Saturday. The facility, which has been under Russian control since March 2022, experienced its longest disconnection from the power grid, marking the tenth instance during the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The repairs began after both Russian and Ukrainian forces established local ceasefire zones, allowing for the work to take place safely. Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), shared on social media: "Both sides engaged constructively with the IAEA to enable the complex repair plan to proceed." He emphasized that restoring offsite power is critical for the plant's safety and security. The agency has estimated that the restoration efforts would take approximately one week, with both Russia and Ukraine confirming that the repair work has officially begun. Since losing its external power supply, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe has relied on backup diesel generators. All six reactors at the plant, which used to contribute about 20% of Ukraine's electricity before the war, were shut down after Russian forces seized control. Maintaining electricity at the facility is essential for keeping its cooling systems operational to prevent a potential catastrophe. In the midst of these developments, Russia has continued its aerial assaults on Ukraine, launching a series of missiles and drones overnight. Ukrainian air force officials reported that their forces successfully intercepted 136 of 164 drones. Tragically, two people were injured when Russian drones struck a petrol station in the Zarichny district of Sumy in northeast Ukraine. Concurrently, the Russian defense ministry claimed that it shot down 41 Ukrainian drones during the same timeframe. Ukrainians have expressed their discontent regarding the likelihood of the United States providing long-range Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv. This came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, where Trump indicated that such support might be forthcoming. However, Zelenskyy returned empty-handed, a scenario that disappointed many in the Ukrainian capital who remain resolute in their efforts to end Russia's invasion. Roman Vynnychenko, a Ukrainian military serviceman, stated, "I believe the prospect of Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine was a political game; Ukraine won't get those missiles." He emphasized the urgent need for Ukraine to acquire new weaponry, irrespective of American assistance, especially given the ongoing drone and missile strikes targeting civilian infrastructure. "Every day civilians and soldiers die; buildings collapse, our streets and cities are being destroyed," he lamented. Meanwhile, Victoria Khramtsova, a psychologist, conveyed the sentiment of many Ukrainians: "We just want peace after being at war for more than three years. I only read the headlines nowadays, and even those make me sad." Furthermore, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled leader of the Belarusian opposition, warned Trump regarding the unreliability of Putin in negotiations over Ukraine. In an interview, she remarked, "As neighbors of Russia, we understand that dictators don't need peace. I don't think that Putin is negotiable at all." Tsikhanouskaya urged Trump to enhance support for democracy in Belarus, asserting that a free Belarus is integral to achieving stability in the region. "Our task is to explain to Trump that it’s not only about political hostages. It’s about the whole future of our country. A democratic Belarus is in the interest of the U.S. as well," she concluded. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2