Russia Seeks License to Restart Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant's Second Reactor.

Russia's Bid for Control of the Nuclear Plant

According to UATV: Russian forces occupying the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) are attempting to legitimize their control by planning to restart electricity production and connect the facility to Russia's power grid. As part of this effort, Rostekhnadzor, the Russian state nuclear and radiation safety regulator, intends to issue an operating license for ZNPP's reactor unit No. 2 within the next month. The Zaporizhzhia plant is Europe's largest nuclear facility and has been under Russian military control since March 2022.

Andrey Tyurin, the acting head of Rostekhnadzor's Upper Don management division, visited the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia plant. This visit coincides with intensified plans to restart reactor units and formalize their operation. Notably, Rostekhnadzor already issued an operating license for ZNPP's reactor unit No. 1 in June 2025.

Integration and Repair Initiatives

The organizational structure of the Zaporizhzhia plant has also been fully transitioned to the standard model used for Russian nuclear power stations. Furthermore, Russian authorities have begun repairs on a reserve power transmission line at ZNPP, starting on January 17, 2026. These steps indicate a clear intent to integrate the Ukrainian nuclear plant into Russia's energy infrastructure, raising serious concerns in Ukraine and among international observers.

Connecting the Zaporizhzhia plant to the Russian grid could have profound implications for Ukraine's and the region's energy security. Given the site's strategic importance, Russia's actions are likely to face international condemnation and could prompt new sanctions from Western nations. This situation underscores the critical risks of using nuclear facilities as instruments of political pressure during wartime.