MOSCOW 

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Saturday announced that repair crews have begun restoring external power lines leading to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

"The Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, stated that after four weeks without energy supply, work has started on repairing the damaged external power lines at the ZNPP. This followed the establishment of local ceasefires to allow the work to proceed," the agency said on the US social media company X.

The IAEA statement emphasized the importance of restoring the external power supply, calling it "critical for nuclear safety."

"Both sides interacted constructively with the IAEA so that comprehensive repairs could continue," the agency noted.

On Sept. 23, the IAEA reported the cessation of external electricity supply to the ZNPP due to military actions. As a result, emergency diesel generators provided power to the plant.

On Oct. 9, the IAEA's head, Rafael Grossi, announced the start of the process to restore external power supply to the ZNPP. This achievement was made possible by numerous contacts between the IAEA and Russian and Ukrainian parties, the agency said in a press release.