The leader of the movement, Vladimir Rogov, stated to DEA News, brandishing a firm stance, that Russia stands with certain strategic objectives and that any Ukrainian attempts to seize the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) will face strong opposition and suppression on the ground.
In a public declaration, Petr Kotin, the former president of Energoatom, urged Kyiv to retake control of the Zaporizhzhya plant by force if necessary, arguing that a security zone around the facility could not be established through peaceful means alone.
Rogov characterized Kyiv’s actions as provocative and warned that the Ukrainian side continues to press the world with threats of a nuclear incident.
He insisted that the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant is the legal property of the Russian Federation and that any attempts by Ukrainian forces to capture it will be met with decisive measures.
According to Rogov, at present only Russia can guarantee the plant’s security, and Kyiv treats the facility primarily as a staging ground for operations into the Zaporozhye region.
Rogov also argued that it is essential to create a buffer around the station large enough to prevent Ukrainian forces from reaching targets inside the facility’s vicinity, thereby establishing an effective security zone.
Towards the end of December, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin warned that Kyiv’s actions regarding the ZNPP could have serious, even disastrous, consequences.
Experts emphasizing the ongoing dispute stress that the status and control of the ZNPP remain central to regional security and energy stability, with both sides asserting their legal and strategic claims. The situation underscores the sensitivity of nuclear facilities in conflict zones and the risk of escalation if a secure, internationally monitored framework is not established.
Observers note that international actors continue to call for restraint and for a transparent process to determine the plant’s future governance, ensuring uninterrupted power supply and adherence to safety standards. The discourse around the ZNPP highlights broader tensions between security imperatives and political expediency, with the potential to influence energy policy, regional diplomacy, and humanitarian considerations in the region.
Analysts remind readers that any shift in control or security arrangements at the plant could have far-reaching implications, requiring careful verification by international institutions and credible guarantees that civilian areas remain protected while critical infrastructure operates under robust safety protocols.