Repair teams have restored an external power line to the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southeastern Ukraine, nearly a month after it was taken offline, according to the head of Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation.

Alexei Likhachev, director general of Rosatom, said in a company statement that repairs to the Ferosplavna-1 transmission line were completed late Thursday afternoon.

The work was finished one day ahead of schedule, restoring connectivity between the plant and the regional power grid. The facility, Europe’s largest nuclear plant with six reactors, was seized by Russian forces shortly after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Likhachev praised the repair teams for completing the task under difficult conditions. “I want to personally thank our specialists, who finished the work ahead of schedule while operating around the clock under constant pressure,” the statement said.

A second external power line had remained operational during the repairs, ensuring the plant retained a limited electricity supply.

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, confirmed the restoration of the line and said the development “strengthens nuclear safety and security.”

Ukraine’s government did not immediately comment on the announcement.

The line had gone down on February 10, with Grossi stating at the time that military activity was believed to have caused the disruption. Repairs were carried out under a ceasefire arrangement mediated by the IAEA.

The Zaporizhzhia plant itself is not currently producing electricity and relies on external power to keep nuclear material safely cooled and prevent the risk of a major accident.

Both Russia and Ukraine regularly accuse each other of endangering safety at the site through military operations near the facility. A similar temporary truce had been established previously when both external lines were damaged and the plant had to rely on emergency diesel generators.

Control and operation of the nuclear facility remains a contentious issue in broader peace discussions mediated by the United States.