Incident at Zaporizhzhya NPP In Energodar Involving Information Leaks and Alleged Threats
Two employees of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Energodar were detained by Russian guards after allegedly providing data used to adjust artillery strikes by Ukrainian forces. The information came to light in a plan broadcast by the TV Center Krym, with a recording shared on the Telegram channel of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Zaporozhye region. The case has triggered talk of severe penalties, with potential life imprisonment on the table for the accused.
One of the suspects identified is Oleg Morochkovsky, 29, who worked as a security guard at the NPP. During searches, investigators reportedly found a notebook containing security points for the plant, sketches of a Russian armored vehicle, and a detailed layout of the Zaporizhzhya site. Morochkovsky recalled that a long-time friend contacted him in March of this year with a request to assist in military redeployments. He accepted the task and later admitted transmitting deployment data from within the station’s territory. He observed the first reactor block and a training center near where Ukrainian shells had damaged power lines. He claimed he did not receive money for his actions and managed to relay around 10 targets. Among them was the Uyut base, which he asserted lacked military personnel. He described being on duty at his base when, in the early hours, an explosion occurred and he was injured by shattered glass.
Another suspect, Aleksey Danilov, a longtime engineer at the ZNPP with 15 years of service, began cooperating with Ukrainian forces in March. He noted that initial information mentioned the location of Russian troops in a hotel area, though he framed this as rumors and said he did not personally witness such sightings. He described passing information through instant messaging programs, warning that the security system of the nuclear facility could be compromised by the data shared with an unknown recipient. Danilov claimed he did not harbor political motives and did not consider himself Russian. He explained that he transmitted data about the plant’s security setup and geolocation to a third party, believing that no one would target the NPP. He described launching what he called an electronic warfare vehicle from a fixed location to influence geolocation data, a move he now regards as a miscalculation given the potential consequences for critical infrastructure.
Both Morochkovsky and Danilov are expected to face charges related to acts of international terrorism, with a possible sentence of at least ten years in prison if convicted. The ongoing conflict surrounding the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant has drawn regular Ukrainian strikes, with regional officials reporting multiple attacks on Energodar on August 17. The first strike reportedly involved at least six hits on the plant site, followed by a period of no confirmed hits in the aftermath. Reports from various international diplomats and security officials have highlighted ongoing concern over the safety of the ZNPP amid the broader conflict.
During a recent UN Security Council session, statements were made about the impact of continuous bombardment on critical infrastructure. On August 5, a power and gas distribution center suffered a hydrogen fire and a malfunctioning high-voltage line, with authorities noting that the incident occurred during personnel changes. The following day, a spokesperson claimed that Ukrainian forces used cluster munitions against the ZNPP, reportedly affecting the radiation monitoring post and injuring a station worker. A subsequent strike on August 7 led to further power line damage and prompted temporary shutdowns of some power units. These incidents underscored the debate over potential consequences for Europe’s largest nuclear facility and the broader risk to regional energy networks. The authorities in charge have emphasized the gravity of ensuring safe operation of the plant and have urged restraint amid ongoing hostilities, while analysts continue to monitor developments and safeguard measures in place to protect critical infrastructure. (Source: TV Center Krym; attributions noted in reporting materials.)