The Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) was reconnected to the grid today following successful repairs of the Ferosplavna back-up power line that were carried out under the protection of an IAEA-brokered localized ceasefire. In the ZNPP’s 19th loss of off-site power during the military conflict, the plant lost the connection to the 330 kilovolt (kV) line late on Wednesday due to military-related damage, forcing it to rely on emergency diesel generators for the electricity it needs to cool its six shutdown reactors. Lasting almost three days, it was one of the site’s longest such loss of power events, underlining the extreme fragility of the electrical grid. An IAEA team monitored the repairs near the ZNPP. In other efforts crucial for nuclear safety, the IAEA is continuing to observe repair activities at the Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant (ZTPP) switchyard as well as de-mining work in another frontline area close to the ZNPP to also enable repairs of the site’s main power line, the 750 kV Dniprovska, that has been disconnected since March. Both power lines and the switchyard repairs are needed to secure off-site electricity for the ZNPP and to help prevent a nuclear accident, DG @rafaelmgrossi says. DG Grossi expresses deep concern about increased military activity in recent days and weeks that is further jeopardizing key nuclear safety principles and he reiterates the necessity of maximum military restraint near all nuclear facilities. The IAEA remains committed to doing everything it can to ensure nuclear safety and security during the conflict, DG Grossi adds.

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The IAEA has been informed that, for the 19th time since the beginning of the military conflict, the Zaporizhzhya NPP lost all off-site power at around 21:00 local time last night following an attack on an electrical substation on the other side of the Dnipro River. This latest loss of the Ferosplavna‑1 330 kV back up line comes as the plant prepares repairs on the 750 kV Dniprovska main power line — disconnected since 24 March — under the sixth localized ceasefire agreed with both sides to help restore a second off-site power connection. Operating with only one remaining power line leaves the plant extremely vulnerable to conflict-related grid disruptions as we experience it again today. The ZNPP is currently relying on emergency diesel generators to power the cooling of its six shut-down reactors and maintain other essential nuclear safety functions. The latest loss of off-site power once again highlights the extreme fragility of the electrical grid and the constant dangers to nuclear safety during the war, DG @rafaelmgrossi said, reiterating the urgent need for military restraint to prevent a nuclear accident.

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An IAEA team is monitoring mine-clearing work being carried out to enable urgent repairs to the last remaining main power line of the ZNPP, following days of intense military activity that continues to endanger nuclear safety and security. The team’s presence is necessary to strengthen and help maintain the IAEA-brokered ceasefire that took effect on Friday, IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi informed the IAEA Board of Governors this week. iaea.org/newscenter/pressrel…

On Monday, 8 June, Director General @rafaelmgrossi briefed the Board of Governors on the IAEA’s efforts to support nuclear safety, security and safeguards in conflict-affected regions while expanding the benefits of nuclear science and technology around the world. The Board, which is one of the two policy-making bodies of the Agency, along with the annual General Conference of IAEA Member States, will convene all this week in Vienna. Read more ➡️ atoms.iaea.org/4x7SerA

In his address to today's IAEA Board of Governors, DG @RafaelMGrossi updated Member States on ATLAS, a new flagship initiative that will be important for economies around the world. ATLAS will support the exploration of nuclear propulsion for merchant fleets and other applications at sea. 📄 Full statement: atoms.iaea.org/4fwFwfR

In his address to today's IAEA Board of Governors, DG @RafaelMGrossi reiterated a clear message: "Attacking nuclear power plants is a taboo. It's a no go. It's something that should never happen." 📄 Full statement: atoms.iaea.org/4fwFwfR

In his introductory statement to the IAEA Board of Governors this morning, IAEA Director General @RafaelMGrossi briefed Member States on the Agency’s efforts to maintain the latest ceasefire near the Zaporizhzhya NPP, including monitoring of mine-clearing activities before repairs to the Dniprovska power line can begin. 📄Full statement: atoms.iaea.org/4fwFwfR

📄 Read the introductory statement delivered by IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi to the Board of Governors today. Full statement: atoms.iaea.org/4fwFwfR

🔴 Starting soon: IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi briefs press following today’s Board of Governors meeting. To the livestream ▶️ atoms.iaea.org/4uUlLnf

IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi to hold a press conference after today’s session of the Board of Governors. 🕐 12:30 CEST ▶️ atoms.iaea.org/4uUlLnf

An IAEA team has inspected the impact of this morning’s drone strike on the central spent fuel storage facility near the Chornobyl site, reporting that it caused significant structural damage to part of the fuel reception building, including to the IAEA safeguards office located there. The team of experts observed damage to the building’s facade, walls and staircase, with shattered glass shards, broken bricks and other debris seen scattered on the ground. They confirmed that radiation levels at the facility remained normal, indicating that the incident did not cause any radioactive contamination. They were also informed that spent fuel was stored in casks a few hundred metres from the damaged building at the time of the attack, while other closer ones had been empty. It remains unclear when the facility will be able to start receiving spent fuel from Ukraine’s operating NPPs again. DG @rafaelmgrossi says it was an extremely concerning incident and a close call in terms of nuclear safety. Attacking a facility with large amounts of nuclear material is like playing with fire and it must never happen, DG Grossi says, adding that the IAEA will continue to investigate the incident.

To strengthen and help maintain the latest IAEA-brokered ceasefire near the Zaporizhzhya NPP after Friday’s incident that injured several Russian military personnel, an Agency team today started monitoring mine-clearing work that is required before the power line repairs can begin, DG @rafaelmgrossi says. The repairs of the ZNPP’s main 750 kilovolt (kV) power line are expected to get under way in coming days after de-mining of the frontline area has been completed. In the previous five localized ceasefires negotiated by the IAEA to ensure nuclear safety at the ZNPP, the Agency’s teams have monitored the repairs but not the preceding de-mining work. The IAEA will continue to do everything it can to help prevent a nuclear accident during the military conflict, DG Grossi says.

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The IAEA has been informed by Ukraine of a drone attack early this morning on the central spent fuel storage facility located in the Chornobyl exclusion zone. The strike caused significant damage to the facility’s fuel reception building - including to the facade, windows and doors - and nearby buildings were also affected by the blast wave. Radiation levels at the facility remain within established limits, Ukraine says. The IAEA team at the Chornobyl site will soon visit the facility to inspect the impact. DG @rafaelmgrossi says the incident is deeply concerning as it occurred at a facility containing large amounts of nuclear material, held in storage just metres away from the attacked building. Attacks on nuclear sites are completely unacceptable and in direct contravention of key nuclear safety principles, notably the 7 Indispensable Pillars for nuclear safety and security during a military conflict, DG Grossi says.

IAEA Director General @RafaelMGrossi visited Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 to mark a key milestone in the country’s nuclear power programme and strengthen cooperation on nuclear safety, infrastructure, and access to cancer care through the IAEA’s #RaysOfHope initiative. Read more ➡️ atoms.iaea.org/4vuOI90

Off-site power was restored to the ZNPP this morning after a 15-hour outage, when the site had to rely on emergency diesel generators for electricity to cool its six shutdown reactors. It was the 18th loss of off-site power during the war and one of the longest, highlighting the extreme fragility of the electrical grid and the urgency of proceeding with planned power line repairs under the protection of an IAEA-brokered ceasefire, DG @rafaelmgrossi says.