Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question regarding the restoration of external power supply to Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant
22 October 2025 10:22
1747-22-10-2025
Question: Media reports suggest that the IAEA is pressuring Russia and Ukraine to agree to a local ceasefire to restore power supply to Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant. Can you confirm this? Is such work indeed underway?
Maria Zakharova: On September 23, a strike by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) damaged a pylon of the Dneprovskaya power transmission line that supplies external electricity to Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). Whilst the plant's reactors are in a cold shutdown mode, external power remains essential for its safe operation.
Since September 23, the ZNPP's backup power requirements have been met by auxiliary diesel generators. To restore the plant's regular external power supply, the Russian side engaged with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi on the necessity of facilitating a local ceasefire. After protracted and complex consultations, security guarantees were secured from Ukraine - a prerequisite without which repairs to the damaged power line would have been impossible. Work commenced on October 18, and is expected to take several days to complete.
In this context, we acknowledge Mr Grossi's mediation efforts, which have thus far ensured the safety of the repair operations. It is our expectation that this will continue to be the case.
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