Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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January 30, 2026 Peace and security
The conflict in Ukraine continues to pose "the most serious threat to nuclear security in the world," IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated at the agency's Board of Governors meeting in Vienna on Friday.
Grossi said the IAEA had to coordinate four separate temporary ceasefires between Ukraine and Russia in recent months to allow for repairs to power lines supplying the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).
A total of five such repairs were carried out. The last one was completed on January 19, when the plant was reconnected to its last backup line. It had been damaged since January 2—according to the agency, due to military activity. Before the backup line was restored, the Zaporizhzhya NPP depended on the only remaining main line, which supplied power to the cooling systems of the six shut-down reactors.
The IAEA, Grossi said, is closely monitoring how plant personnel cope with harsh winter conditions, including preventing water in the cooling pond and irrigation basins from freezing.
Attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure
The IAEA director noted that the safety of Ukrainian nuclear power plants directly depends on the operation of key substations. Damage to these substations "undermines nuclear safety and must be prevented," he emphasized.
An IAEA expert mission is working at all Ukrainian substations affected by the strikes. Specialists are assessing the condition of 10 facilities critical to the NPP's external power supply. Some of these were already inspected in December 2025, while others are being inspected for the first time.
The situation at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant
IAEA experts recorded military activity near other nuclear facilities, including the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, where several power lines were damaged. Although the plant continues to receive power through alternative sources, emergency diesel generators were activated due to power outages and voltage surges. All main power lines were subsequently restored.
Grossi reiterated that a cessation of hostilities is the only way to guarantee security and prevent a nuclear incident.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.