Despite the confusing statements by IAEA Director Grossi on June 3rd, Greenpeace Ukraine has no doubt that the Russian occupants are implementing their criminal and dangerous plan to restart ZNPP step by step. On 6th of June Rosatom chief also admits the active construction of the water pumping station – preparation for the crime is progressing

Greenpeace published on 27 May 2025 its satellite monitoring report proving that Russia is constructing an electricity line between occupied Mariupol and Melitopol. Since publication, the organisation has observed further progress. 

Planet 6 June 2025

In our new assessment of Planet satellite images there is a new proof that  since 6 May in the west of the occupied Azovske, Zaporizhzhia region Russia has installed 11 new electricity pylons for a total additional distance of 3.6km to the south of the occupied village of Shevchenko, Zaporizhzhia region.

Planet 3 June 2025

Meanwhile on the eastern end of the line, between 22 May until 3 June an additional 10 pylons have been installed over a distance of 3.3km to the south of the occupied Kliuchove, Donetsk region.

Greenpeace Ukraine has no doubt about the ambition of Russia to illegally restart the ZNPP, to disconnect it from the Ukrainian grid and synchronise it to the Russian grid.

After the publication of the Greenpeace investigation, IAEA Director Rafael Grossi, while in Kyiv on June 3, disagreed with the threat of the potential restart Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant at present, mentioning that: “There are some areas where there has been some work, but we do not have any concrete evidence that this is part of a concerted, orchestrated plan to connect the power plant in one sense or the other.”

At the same time, the Russians have a radically different rhetoric and do not hide their criminal plans. On 6 June 2025 Rosatom chief Likhachev during his meeting with IAEA DG Grossi confirmed that they have begun construction of a floating modular pumping station with a capacity of up to 18 thousand cubic meters per hour, which will solve all water supply problems if the units reach their design capacity, he said. It should be remembered that the biggest problems with water supply for cooling nuclear fuel at ZNPP began after the Russians cynically blew up the Kakhovka HPP in 2023. The plans for such a new pumping station were first disclosed in May 2024.

In the meeting between Grossi and Rosatom Likachev on June 6 in Kaliningrad, the Russian chief stated that, “A comprehensive plan has been prepared, a multi-level plan for the phased commissioning of the nuclear power plant. The plan is currently being coordinated… in the government, in the Ministry of Energy, in cooperation with the grid operator.”

“Restarting such a large nuclear power plant as ZNPP is not a matter of one day or one month. To carry out this crime, the Russians need to make gradual preparations – and the new power lines in the occupied Ukrainian territories and the new water pumping station are evidence of this. Greenpeace Ukraine has been signaling to the IAEA and Rafael Grossi that these preparations are already underway, but for some reason the IAEA does not see these signals. We emphasize that ZNPP is exclusively Ukrainian property, and its restart by the Russians is a crime against international law with potentially catastrophic consequences for people and nature,” says Greenpeace Ukraine Senior Nuclear Campaigner Shaun Burnie. 


⚠️ Greenpeace warns: Rosatom’s plans to restart ZNPP reactors pose very serious risks to nuclear safety:

After 3 years of occupation, ZNPP equipment is in a deteriorated state;

The plant lacks experienced personnel;

There is only one 750kV line and one 330kV line to supply power to the plant

Lack of cooling water circulation can lead to overheating and damage to the reactor core.

There could be serious off-site consequences, including radioactive contamination.

Greenpeace continues to declare its clear position that the ZNPP is Ukrainian property and the occupiers have no right to violate international law with the tacit consent of the IAEA. 

We urge the IAEA to open its eyes to Russia’s criminal plans, declare that restarting ZNPP by Russians is impossible and prevent a potential nuclear accident.