Satellite images reveal Russia's plan to launch Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant for its own use
Illustrative photo: Russia plans to launch Zaporizhzhia NPP for its own needs (Getty Images)
Russia is constructing power transmission lines in the occupied territory of Ukraine to connect the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to its own energy grid. This indicates Moscow's intention to exploit the facility, The New York Times reports.
According to the outlet, satellite images reveal Russia’s plan to restart the captured nuclear power plant. The occupiers are building power lines in the occupied southern part of Ukraine to link the large nuclear facility they seized to their network.
"It is the clearest evidence yet of Moscow’s intent to restart and exploit the offline facility, despite the risks and calls to address the plant’s status in peace talks," The New York Times notes.
In particular, the outlet obtained satellite images from a Greenpeace report showing that since early February, Russia has been constructing more than 50 miles of power lines and pylons between the occupied Ukrainian cities of Mariupol and Berdyansk, along the coast of the Sea of Azov.
Given the location and direction of the work, Greenpeace stated that the project's goal was to connect the new power lines to a major substation near Mariupol. That substation was previously linked to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, located about 140 miles to the west.
"Putin’s plan for restarting the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant depends on securing new electricity transmission lines - this is the first physical evidence of those plans," said Shaun Burnie, a nuclear specialist at Greenpeace Ukraine.
Russia's exact plans for the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remain unclear: whether it intends to operate the facility in postwar Ukraine or during ongoing hostilities. However, Russia will still need to build several more power lines to fully connect the Zaporizhzhia plant to its energy grid, and that process will take some time.
Situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear facility in Ukraine and Europe. It has been under Russian occupation since March 4, 2022. Russian forces have mined parts of the plant's territory and stationed troops there.
They have also repeatedly staged provocations on the territory of the plant. The facility has faced several near-blackout situations.
In addition, Russia illegally detains 13 nuclear plant workers. Seven of them have already been sentenced on fabricated charges, three are in prison awaiting sham verdicts, and the fate of the remaining three remains unknown - they are considered missing.
