IAEA records six of seven compromised power lines at Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant

09:16, 09.09.2025 1 min read

Six of the seven power poles of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant have been compromised, leaving only one operational line outside the site, which poses serious safety risks, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said at a meeting of the Board of Governors in Vienna.

"Only one off-site power line remains, posing serious safety risks," he said.

According to him, all six reactors are in cold shutdown, and none of them can be safely restarted under current conditions: "The cooling pond level has dropped to 13.4m, nearing the 12.0m threshold below which cooling systems fail."

Grossi added that the measures to isolate the inlet channel provide short-term relief, but a long-term solution is needed, such as the construction of a pumping station.

"Ongoing military activity, including attacks very close to the ZNPP site, are deeply concerning, adding stress and risk," Grossi said.