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Ukraine Slams Russia’s Licensing of Reactor at Occupied Zaporizhzhia Plant, Demands Full Withdrawal
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On December 26, Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy condemned Russia’s recent decision to issue a license for the operation of one of the reactors at the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), calling the move legally null and void and without legal effect.
The announcement from Russian-installed authorities on December 23 stated that Unit 1 of the plant had received a new operational license from the Russian regulator Rostekhnadzor.
The ministry responded with a statement rejecting what it described as another attempt by Russia to falsely legitimize its control over the facility.
“The Ministry of Energy strongly condemns the illegal actions of the Russian Federation aimed at yet another attempt to legitimize the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP,” the statement read.
Officials emphasized that the plant remains under Ukraine’s exclusive jurisdiction, and only the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine has legal authority over its operation.
Any documentation issued by Russian authorities or the occupation administration is “a gross violation of international law and Ukraine’s sovereignty,” the ministry said.
It cited United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/78/316 and decisions from the IAEA Board of Governors as evidence that Russia’s actions breach global nuclear safety standards.
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Particularly concerning, the ministry added, were Russian claims that Reactor No. 1 is technically ready for restart. Ukrainian officials warned that continued shelling, the loss of the Kakhovka Reservoir, degraded safety infrastructure, and the absence of qualified Ukrainian personnel make any restart attempt irresponsible and dangerous.
“In these conditions, any effort to resume reactor operations poses a real threat of a nuclear incident with cross-border consequences,” the statement said, describing the move as an act of nuclear blackmail. “Such actions bear signs of nuclear terrorism and grossly violate the IAEA’s seven pillars of nuclear safety.”
The ministry said Russian state energy company Rosatom being directly involved in the illegal operation of the plant, stating that it has become an element of Russia’s military infrastructure.
Ukraine reiterated its demand for the immediate withdrawal of all Russian troops and unauthorized personnel from the Zaporizhzhia facility and the city of Enerhodar. Until the plant is fully de-occupied, all reactors must remain in a cold shutdown state, the ministry said.
Kyiv also called for tighter international sanctions on Russia’s nuclear sector, including Rosatom and individual officials at Rostekhnadzor involved in the licensing and management of the occupied plant.
The statement concluded with a call to the IAEA, Ukraine’s partners, and the broader international community to deliver a firm and clear response to prevent what it called an emerging nuclear threat.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented Ukraine’s 20-point peace plan, calling the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant one of its most difficult elements and saying no compromise has yet been reached with the US side.
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