Automatics, mines, dogs... A former ZNPP employee spoke about how the Russians turned the station into a military base.

Occupiers replaced the site of the Zaporizhzhia NPP with a military base

Former head of the operational unit of the Zaporizhzhia NPP Oleg Dudar stated that in March 2022, the occupiers invaded the station's territory with heavy weaponry. They removed equipment that was visible from the air and placed it in locations inaccessible to Ukrainian drones.

«The occupiers completely replaced the perimeter of the NPP, partially renewed the safety systems equipment, and installed sprinkling modules. Our experts believe that important rooms of the steam pipelines of the second contour of the nuclear reactor were replaced. The Russian occupiers deny access to that area for IAEA representatives.»

Dudar also noted that the Russians installed machine gun nests on the structures of the reactor compartments and tall buildings. He added that the enemy has created a military base on the site of the NPP and is bombarding the surrounding settlements with impunity.

Mine threats around the NPP

According to Dudar, the entire Enerhodar, the area near the Kakhovka Sea coast, and even the station itself are now mined. He emphasizes that after the return of these lands, demining will need to be carried out, which will be a very complicated operation.

Dudar also highlighted that no other energy facility in the world has experienced such extreme interference as the Zaporizhzhia NPP during the Russian aggression.