Key Facts
• March 3, 2022: Russian tanks seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Enerhodar.
• The plant, Europe’s largest, has six reactors, each with 950,000 kW output.
• Over 5,000 of the original 11,000 employees remain; many lack nuclear expertise.
• Russian forces turned the plant into a fortress, storing weapons and launching attacks.
• Looting and landmine explosions caused damage to plant infrastructure.
• Employees were forced to sign contracts with Russia’s Rosatom under threats.
• Approximately 2,000 workers signed contracts; dissenters faced surveillance and torture.
• November 2022: A worker was interrogated and electroshocked for criticizing Russia.
• 2,000 Enerhodar residents were detained; 30 received 10–20-year prison sentences.
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) staff have been stationed at the plant since September 2022.
• All six reactors are in cold shutdown, relying on external power for cooling.
Summary
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, remains under Russian military occupation since March 2022, raising fears of a catastrophic accident. The plant has been transformed into a military base, with weapons stored and attacks launched from its premises. Employees face coercion, with many forced to sign contracts with Russia’s Rosatom under threats of torture and surveillance. Infrastructure damage from looting and landmine explosions has further endangered the facility. Only 5,000 of the original 11,000 employees remain, with untrained locals filling critical roles. Reports of torture, including electroshock, highlight the dire conditions. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitors the plant, but all six reactors remain in cold shutdown, relying on external power for cooling. Experts warn that continued Russian control could lead to a major nuclear disaster.
