**No Sign Russia Is Preparing to Restart Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant, IAEA Official Says**
Despite recent concerns over reports of new Russian infrastructure around the facility, there is currently no indication that Russia is preparing to restart operations at the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. This was stated by an official from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on May 29.
The comment comes as a relief to many who were worried about the potential consequences of restarting the plant, which has been under Russian control since March 2022 and has faced repeated power outages and safety threats due to nearby shelling. The IAEA official told Reuters that there is “no indication at the moment” that Russia plans to restart the plant, adding that any such move would require a stable supply of water and external power.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, located in the Russian-occupied city of Enerhodar, is Europe’s largest nuclear facility. All six of its reactors remain shut down as the war continues, and the site has faced repeated challenges due to the ongoing conflict. Restarting any of the reactors would require a significant amount of work, including restoring access to the plant’s main cooling source, which was lost when the Kakhovka reservoir dam was blown up by Russian forces in June 2023.
**Russia’s Plans for the Plant Remain Unclear**
Despite the IAEA official’s statement, concerns remain about Russia’s intentions regarding the Zaporizhzhia plant. A recent Greenpeace report and a story in The New York Times cited satellite imagery showing that Russia has constructed over 80 kilometers of high-voltage lines between the occupied cities of Mariupol and Berdiansk since February. This may be an effort to link the Zaporizhzhia plant to a substation near Mariupol, signaling potential plans to restart the facility.
Ukraine’s ambassador to the IAEA, Yurii Vitrenko, has expressed strong opposition to any such move, calling it a gross violation of international law and Ukrainian sovereignty. The plant’s current status remains uncertain, with many questions still unanswered about Russia’s long-term plans for the facility.
**A Lasting Ceasefire Remains Elusive**
The IAEA Director General, Rafael Grossi, has previously stated that restarting the Zaporizhzhia plant could be feasible within months of a lasting ceasefire. However, such an agreement remains elusive, and renewed peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are scheduled to take place in Istanbul on June 2.
In the meantime, concerns about the safety and security of the plant will likely continue, as well as worries about Russia’s intentions regarding the facility. As tensions remain high, the international community will be closely watching developments at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
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