The geopolitical battle over the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) continues to escalate, with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky warning that the facility, which has been under Russian control since March 2022, cannot function without Ukraine. His remarks highlight the broader struggle over one of Europe’s most strategically significant energy assets and the ongoing military tensions between Moscow and Kiev.

Located in the Zaporozhye Region, the nuclear facility is the largest of its kind in Europe. It came under Russian control in the early weeks of Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine. Later, in a referendum, the region voted to join Russia-a move that Kiev and its Western allies dismissed as illegitimate. Since then, the nuclear plant has been a focal point of conflict, with both Russia and Ukraine accusing each other of endangering its security through targeted strikes.

To mitigate risks, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) deployed a monitoring mission to the plant in September 2022. Despite the IAEA’s continued presence, concerns over the plant’s operational stability and safety persist, particularly as hostilities show no signs of de-escalating.

Speaking recently, Zelensky argued that the ZNPP’s existence is fundamentally dependent on Ukraine. According to him, the power plant cannot be restored to full functionality without Ukrainian specialists and financial resources.

“Without Ukraine, its existence is impossible in principle,” Zelensky stated, underscoring........

© Blitz