Russia Invades Ukraine
Inside Ukraine's Russian-Occupied Nuclear Power Plant
- By RFE/RL
Images from inside the Zaporizhzhya power plant offered a glimpse into Russian control over the facility ahead of a closed-door meeting between International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 6.
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Two men inside the control room of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP)
This photo is one of a series of images released by Russian state media on March 4 that show the inner workings of the plant while under Russian occupation.
This photo is one of a series of images released by Russian state media on March 4 that show the inner workings of the plant while under Russian occupation.
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A spray cooling pond at the ZNPP, which is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.
Photos from inside the plant were released ahead of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi on March 6.
Photos from inside the plant were released ahead of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi on March 6.
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People walking inside the grounds of the ZNPP.
Current staffing levels at the facility are believed to be less than one-third of pre-invasion numbers.
Current staffing levels at the facility are believed to be less than one-third of pre-invasion numbers.
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A man inside the control room of the ZNPP.
Around 120 Ukrainian workers who refused to accept Russian citizenship and sign contracts with a Russian state energy company were reportedly fired in February.
Around 120 Ukrainian workers who refused to accept Russian citizenship and sign contracts with a Russian state energy company were reportedly fired in February.
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A turbine hall in the ZNPP photographed on March 2.
The ZNPP is not currently producing electricity, but its reactors require constant cooling administered by trained specialists to avoid the risk of a nuclear meltdown.
The ZNPP is not currently producing electricity, but its reactors require constant cooling administered by trained specialists to avoid the risk of a nuclear meltdown.
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A Russian tank inside the ZNPP on March 16, 2022.
The Ukrainian facility was captured by advancing Russian forces just days after the Kremlin's full-scale invasion was launched on February 24, 2022.
The Ukrainian facility was captured by advancing Russian forces just days after the Kremlin's full-scale invasion was launched on February 24, 2022.
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Rooms inside the ZNPP damaged by fighting seen in March 2022.
In the battle for control of the ZNPP, several buildings on the site sustained damage, and one reactor's outer wall was pierced by a projectile.
In the battle for control of the ZNPP, several buildings on the site sustained damage, and one reactor's outer wall was pierced by a projectile.
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IAEA inspectors, including Rafael Grossi (center right in blue vest), view damage from a shell that landed on a building housing nuclear fuel in September 2022.
Details of what was discussed at the closed-door meeting between Grossi and Putin on March 6 are unclear, with the IAEA chief posting a tweet that merely announced an "important exchange" about the ZNPP.
Details of what was discussed at the closed-door meeting between Grossi and Putin on March 6 are unclear, with the IAEA chief posting a tweet that merely announced an "important exchange" about the ZNPP.
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Turbines seen in the ZNPP in March 2024.
Grossi has previously called for "maximum military restraint" after several explosions were reported near the plant late last month that the Kremlin blamed on Ukraine. Kyiv has so far not responded to the allegations.
Grossi has previously called for "maximum military restraint" after several explosions were reported near the plant late last month that the Kremlin blamed on Ukraine. Kyiv has so far not responded to the allegations.
