Russia illegally detaining 13 Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant workers — Energoatom

Energoatom reported the information.

They noted that from the start of the occupation of Europe’s largest nuclear plant, Russia began putting intense pressure on Ukrainian nuclear workers who refused to switch sides and sign so-called contracts with Rosatom.

As of now, 13 Zaporizhzhia NPP workers are known to be illegally held in the temporarily occupied territories. Seven of them have been sentenced by the occupiers, three are still in prison awaiting fake verdicts. The fate of the remaining three is unknown — they are considered missing.

In addition, at the start of the full-scale invasion, Russian forces tortured ZNPP diver Andriy Honcharuk to death.

At the same time, around 5,000 specialists managed to leave the temporarily occupied city of Energodar. Energoatom said it is helping them find work in other parts of the company.

Energy workers stress that the Russians continue using the Zaporizhzhia NPP as a military base. Military vehicles are stationed in the engine rooms, and explosive weapons are being stored there. The plant’s equipment is falling into disrepair, and there is no safe way to restart the facility.

“All illegally detained nuclear workers must be released immediately. The Zaporizhzhia NPP must return under the control of its legal operator, Energoatom, and Russia must remove its troops and equipment from the plant. This is the only way to restore nuclear and radiation safety across the continent!” Energoatom stressed.

• It was earlier reported that Russian forces are using the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP as a base to train drone crews, knowing Ukraine can’t target the site.