The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) declared the uspicion against two Russians who disconnected the Zaporizhzhia NPP (ZNPP) from Ukraineʼs energy system.
Itʼs about the deputy director of the captured nuclear power plant Eduard Atakishchev and his subordinate — chief engineer Andrei Gorbunov. Before the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia station, they worked at the Rostov NPP.
Atakishchev and Gorbunov joined the management team of ZNPP at the beginning of October 2022. According to SBU, they tried to integrate the facilities of the Ukrainian plant into the structure of the Rosatom and to connect the technological capacities of the plant to the energy system of the Russian Federation.
Atakishchev and Gorbunov also encouraged Ukrainian nuclear workers to cooperate with Russia and conclude "contracts" with the occupation administration of the NPP. In case of refusal, they threatened with persecution.
They were suspected of violating the laws and customs of war and inciting treason.
- ZNPP was occupied by the Russian military at the beginning of March 2022 and has been operating under their control since then. The station was completely disconnected from the power grid several times. From September 2022, the IAEA mission is stationed at the station. Ukraine insists on the withdrawal of the Russian occupiers from the station. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasizes that while Russian soldiers are at the ZNPP, "the world remains on the brink of a nuclear disaster."
- On March 7, 2024, the IAEA Board of Directors adopted a resolution calling on Russia to immediately return control of the Zaporizhzhia NPP to Ukraine.