On March 4, 2022, russian troops seized the Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. This was the first time a civilian nuclear facility had been occupied, creating an unprecedented risk to the global nuclear safety system.
On the fourth anniversary of the occupation, Energoatom emphasized that the situation around the ZNPP remains one of the most acute risks to European energy and nuclear stability.
Company CEO Pavlo Kovtonyuk highlighted, “The seizure of a nuclear facility and its use as a tool for political pressure is a violation of the fundamental rules of the industry. Our task is to protect people and be ready at any moment to resume safe operation of the plant.”
Dmytro Verbytskyi, CEO of the affiliate “SS ZNPP”, said that the prolonged occupation and attempts at illegitimate interference create systemic technical risks.
“Any statements about restarting power units without the participation of the legal operator are technically and regulatory unfounded. Only the return of the ZNPP under the control of Energoatom will allow the restoration of full nuclear and radiation safety standards,” he stressed.
Special attention is paid to the company's social responsibility. More than 5,000 ZNPP employees have become internally displaced persons. Of these, 2,316 have been provided with jobs within the company, while another 1,515 are abroad.
Executive Director for Human Resources Bohdan Shmyhelskyi noted, “We have developed mechanisms for relocation, employment, and professional development for thousands of specialists. Retaining human resources is not just a matter of social responsibility, but also of the future safety of the plant after its de-occupation.”
Serhii Snitkov, Deputy Head of the Nuclear Energy and Industry Workers' Union of Ukraine, emphasized the need for an international response to the violations of the rights of employees who remain under occupation.
Enerhodar Mayor Dmytro Orlov reported that the community had allocated more than UAH 1 billion to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Energoatom highlights that retaining the team and being ready to regain control of the plant are key conditions for its safe future.
