Ukrainian Intelligence Reveals How Russian Military Equipment Is Deployed at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant.

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant: A Growing Security Crisis

According to Espreso.tv: According to a report from the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, military hardware has been stationed at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), raising serious alarms about the facility’s safety. The equipment is located in machine halls 1, 2, 5, and 6. Additionally, basements and bomb shelters are being used as ammunition depots. Machine gun nests and missile systems have been installed on the roofs of reactor buildings, pointing to a grave threat to the surrounding region.

Security at the plant is maintained by 1,500 personnel from Russia’s National Guard, underscoring the strategic value Moscow places on this site. Yet, the plant’s operational status is deeply concerning. ZNPP is barely functioning, plagued by electricity and water supply issues. Since the Russian occupation began, it was connected to ten power lines, but now only one remains operational. This led to a complete blackout on July 3, 2026—the 21st such event.

Water Shortages and Staffing Challenges

As of July 2026, the water level in the cooling pond stands at 12.86 meters, below the minimum safe threshold of 15 meters. This hampers reactor cooling and increases the likelihood of emergencies. Out of 57 deep wells, only 11 are equipped with pumps of sufficient capacity, further straining water supplies.

Before the war, roughly 11,000 specialists worked at ZNPP. That number has now dropped to about 7,500.

The situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant demands urgent action, as ongoing problems could trigger severe consequences not just for Ukraine, but for the entire region.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is critical to Ukraine’s energy security and regional stability.

The increased military presence and weaponry on the plant’s grounds raise serious concerns—not only about potential military threats but also about the risks to nuclear safety. With the facility operating at the edge of its capabilities, steps must be taken to restore normal power and water supplies to avert a catastrophic outcome.