MOSCOW, Feb 27 (Reuters) - A local ceasefire took effect near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine on Friday to enable repairs to an external power line, Russian officials said
Russia Declares Local Ceasefire to Enable Repairs at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
Overview of Ceasefire and Its Impact on Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
Implementation of the Local Ceasefire
MOSCOW, Feb 27 (Reuters) - A local ceasefire took effect near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine on Friday to enable repairs to an external power line, Russian officials said.
Current Status and Significance of the Zaporizhzhia Plant
Control of the Plant
The plant, Europe's largest, has been under Russian control since shortly after the start of the war in 2022. It is not currently producing electricity, and relies on external power to keep its nuclear material cool and avoid a catastrophic accident.
Threats to Plant Safety
Accusations of Jeopardizing Safety
Russia and Ukraine have frequently accused each other of jeopardising safety at the plant by staging attacks nearby. A similar local truce was established last year when the power lines went down for weeks and the site was forced to rely on emergency diesel generators.
International Mediation and Statements
Role of the International Atomic Energy Agency
The Russian management said in a statement that the latest ceasefire had been put in place with help from Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Status of Repairs and Radiation
Russian officials said one of the external power lines was still working, and repairs to the other would take at least a week. Radiation levels are normal, the management said.
Responses and Ongoing Diplomacy
Reactions from Ukraine
There was no immediate comment from Ukraine on the matter.
Peace Talks and Plant Control
The question of who should control and operate the huge plant is one of the contentious issues in slow-moving U.S.-mediated peace talks which are set to resume in Geneva next month.
(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Mark TrevelyanEditing by Gareth Jones)
