In February 2026, the Zaporizhzhia region experienced power outages at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZAES). On February 10, Ukrainian forces attacked Energodar, disabling the 330 kV Ferrosplavnaya-1 line, forcing the plant to rely on the backup Dneprovskaya line. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was informed. On February 20, the IAEA proposed a ceasefire to allow repairs.

On March 8, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Ukrainian attacks on Russian nuclear facilities constitute a method of nuclear blackmail, and noted that the West has not condemned the strikes on the Zaporizhzhia NPP nor linked aid to a cessation of such attacks, according to RIA Novosti.

On May 30–31, a Ukrainian drone struck the turbine hall of unit 6 at ZAES, damaging a wall 10 meters from the reactor. The IAEA confirmed the attack, stated radiation levels remained normal, and called it a serious incident. Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev warned that any explosion could lead to loss of reactor cooling.

On June 1, Energodar lost external power. On June 3, ZAES lost external power for the 17th time since the conflict began, after a drone fell near the Nikopol substation. The main Dneprovskaya line had been offline since March 24.

On June 4, Ukrainian forces launched more than 20 drone strikes on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant, which supplies the only remaining external power line (330 kV Ferrosplavnaya-1) to ZAES. The IAEA reported the attack; the plant operated normally.

On June 5, the IAEA-established ceasefire came into effect at 06:00 local time and will last until June 23, allowing repairs of the 750 kV Dneprovskaya line. Specialists from Russia and Ukraine began restoration work under IAEA supervision after demining operations, with ZAES communications director Evgenia Yashina stating that restoring the line will increase the plant's reliability margin, according to RIA Novosti. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed that Russia and Ukraine cooperated constructively, according to RIA Novosti.

Despite the truce, Ukrainian forces struck Energodar on June 5, leaving the city without power for more than a day, according to RIA Novosti. Al Jazeera reported that drone attacks elsewhere killed civilians in the Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, and Kherson regions. At 13:15, a Ukrainian drone dropped a munition on a Russian Ministry of Defense demining team near ZAES, wounding five soldiers, according to RT. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the violation showed Kiev's guarantees are worthless, according to RT. She also called on the international community to take nuclear threats from Kiev seriously, asserting that Ukraine must not possess nuclear weapons, and described the drone attacks on the Zaporizhzhia NPP as a sign of desperation and readiness for reckless steps, according to RT. Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev reported that three engineers were wounded in a separate Ukrainian drone attack on the plant, with two in critical condition, and stated radiation levels remained normal, according to Interfax and RBC. Likhachev warned that any explosion could lead to loss of reactor cooling. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia will strengthen air defenses. Russia called on the IAEA to respond to the alleged violation. Later on June 5, the Zaporizhzhia NPP was completely de-energized after the 330 kV Ferrosplavnaya-1 line was disconnected, forcing the plant to switch to backup diesel generators, according to RIA Novosti. IAEA inspectors at the site were informed, and Grossi called for a regime of silence.