A new Greenpeace Ukraine analysis concludes that repeated Russian military strikes and sabotage are fully responsible for damage to the external grid supplying the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). Released on the four-year anniversary of Russia’s illegal occupation, the report notes that attacks intensified over the past year as Rosatom pursued plans to restart reactors shut down since September 2022.
High-resolution satellite images of switchyards and transmission lines at ZNPP and the nearby Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant (ZTPP) were reviewed in consultation with McKenzie Intelligence Services. No evidence was found of Ukrainian shelling, contrary to Russian claims.
The findings have been submitted to the IAEA Board of Governors, meeting in Vienna from March 2–6.
“Since 2022, Russian forces and Rosatom have run a large-scale disinformation and false-flag campaign at ZNPP. Over the past year, we have seen a clear escalation. Missile strikes, drone attacks, and sabotage of substations violate basic nuclear safety principles,” said Jan Vande Putte, Greenpeace Ukraine nuclear specialist. “These lies must be exposed, and Rosatom held accountable.”
Key findings from the past year include:
- No evidence of Ukrainian shelling at ZNPP power lines or switchyards.
- Four Loss of Offsite Power (LOOP) events since July 2025, three directly caused by Russian attacks on Ukraine’s electricity network.
- 13 incidents damaged either the 750 kV Dniprovska or 330 kV Ferosplavna-1 lines between February 2025 and February 2026.
- Six incidents occurred in Russian-occupied areas near ZNPP or ZTTP.
- Seven additional outages were caused by shelling and missile strikes in Nikopol district and the wider Dnipro region.
- One or both lines supplying ZNPP were disconnected for 296 days over the past year.
- Rosatom has blocked IAEA inspections at key locations.
- IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi’s claims that repairs require a Ukraine-Russia ceasefire amplify Russian disinformation.
“Evidence shows only Russian forces are responsible for attacking ZNPP’s grid,” said Shaun Burnie, Greenpeace nuclear specialist. “Grossi must stop repeating propaganda and report on Russian crimes.”
The report notes that Russian sabotage and false claims are part of broader efforts to normalize the occupation, including recent licensing of Units 1 and 2 by Russia’s Rostekhnadzor, which declared the reactors compliant with Russian safety standards.
