Headlines
Russia says local truce established to enable repairs at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 27, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 27, 2026
Quick Summary
Russian officials say a local ceasefire is in force near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to repair a damaged external power line, leaving the site reliant on a reduced off-site electricity buffer. The IAEA has repeatedly warned that ZNPP’s off-site power is a key safety vulnerability, with the plant
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)
Key Takeaways
- •Off-site power remains ZNPP’s biggest operational risk: even with reactors shut down, the plant needs grid electricity for cooling and safety systems; IAEA has called the external power situation “extremely fragile” and an “Achilles heel.” (pravda.com.ua)
- •Recent precedent supports the ‘local truce for repairs’ concept: in late 2025, the IAEA said repair work on damaged lines began only after coordinated temporary ceasefire arrangements, after which external power was restored following weeks on diesel generators. (aa.com.tr)
- •The plant has progressively lost redundancy: before the war ZNPP had multiple (reported as 10) external lines; IAEA updates in 2025 described periods when a back-up 330 kV line disconnected, leaving reliance on a single 750 kV line—highlighting why a one-week repair timeline matters for risk management. (pravda.com.ua)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Russia says local truce established to enable repairs at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
1Why was a local ceasefire established near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant?
A local ceasefire was established to enable repairs to an external power line and ensure the plant's safety.
2Who helped facilitate the ceasefire at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant?
The ceasefire was facilitated with help from Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
3Is the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant currently producing electricity?
No, the plant is not producing electricity and relies on external power to keep nuclear material cool.
4How long will repairs to the Zaporizhzhia plant's power line take?
Repairs to the external power line are expected to take at least a week according to Russian officials.
5Are radiation levels at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant normal?
Yes, management has stated that radiation levels at the plant are normal.
