Russia tries to plug Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant into its power grid — ISW

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Acting Head of Russia’s Federal Service for Environmental, Technological, and Nuclear Supervision (Rostekhnadzor) Upper Don Directorate Andrei Tyurin visited the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant on February 3 to discuss "key operational and safety issues" at the plant.

Tyurin and Rostekhnadzor officials focused on the issue of licensing activities at the station. They noted that Rostekhnadzor would grant a license to operate power unit No. 2 of the ZNPP within the next month.

In June, the same organization issued a license to operate power unit No. 1. In addition, the Russian occupying administration of the ZNPP announced the official completion of the station's transition to a standard organizational structure typical for Russian nuclear power plants.

Over the past year, ISW analysts have observed several signs that Russia's efforts to restart the ZNPP and connect it to the Russian power grid are nearing completion, as evidenced by Rostekhnadzor's license issuance.

Situation around ZNPP

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been under occupation by Russian troops since March 2022. During this time, Russia has repeatedly attempted to give its control over the facility pseudo-legal status, disregarding the norms of international law.

As part of diplomatic efforts, the United States has proposed a joint management option for the Zaporizhzhia NPP involving Ukraine, Russia, and the US. At the same time, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that such an approach is unfair and unacceptable.

At the end of December, Ukraine and Russia agreed on a local ceasefire in the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant area, which made it possible to begin repairing the damaged power line.

Moscow insists that Ukraine and Russia should share the electricity generated by the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.