The plant – Europe’s largest, with six reactors – was seized by Russian troops in 2022, in the first weeks of the war in Ukraine. It currently produces no electricity but needs external power to cool the nuclear fuel and avoid the risk of a meltdown.

With fighting raging nearby, the safety of the site has been a prime concern for the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Russia and Ukraine have frequently accused each other of shelling it and traded blame for the latest cut-off of power.

Until Thursday, the plant had been without external electricity for 30 days, relying on backup diesel generators.

“Return of power (is a) key step for nuclear safety,” the IAEA posted on X.

In a statement, the Russian management thanked the IAEA for helping to arrange a local ceasefire so that the repairs could be carried out.

It said it hoped the ceasefire would continue so that repairs to a second power line, down since May 7, could be completed.