Russian forces seized Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant early in their 2022 invasion. Despite the occupation, the plant has not produced electricity since the war began. The United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports that Russia shows no immediate plans to restart the facility. The IAEA continues monitoring the site with rotating staff stationed there. Meanwhile, fighting near Zaporizhzhia city, about 440 kilometers southeast of Kyiv, persists as the frontline remains close.
Satellite images from Greenpeace reveal Russia is constructing high-voltage power lines in the occupied regions of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia. Shaun Burnie of Greenpeace Ukraine called this evidence of a risky and unlawful plan to restart the plant. Ukraine condemned the construction, reporting it to the IAEA and international partners. Ukrainian officials stressed that the project breaches international law and Ukraine’s sovereignty, warning that restarting the plant without proper approval would endanger nuclear safety. Russia has not officially commented on the construction or its intentions. Ukraine insists that only its nuclear regulator has authority to approve plant operations.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi plans talks with Ukraine and possibly Russia to address Russia’s interest in restarting the reactors. The plant’s six reactors remain loaded with uranium but are in a cold shutdown state. Even though nuclear reactions are halted, the facility still relies on external power sources for cooling. The war caused repeated power outages, forcing the plant to depend on diesel generators. The 2023 collapse of the Kakhovka Dam worsened the crisis by cutting off the plant’s main water supply, forcing staff to dig wells to provide cooling water. The IAEA confirmed that operating reactors require much more water than currently available. Officials said no quick or easy solution exists to restore normal operations.
During ceasefire talks in March, former US President Donald Trump proposed that the United States take control of Ukraine’s nuclear plants to protect them from Russian attacks. The proposal raised debate but no formal agreements followed.
The situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant remains tense and precarious. The conflict continues to threaten nuclear safety and regional stability. The IAEA’s ongoing monitoring and international diplomatic efforts aim to prevent a nuclear crisis. Travelers and residents nearby should stay alert to updates as the frontlines shift.