On the third anniversary of the russian occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, the plant management and operational personnel, who witnessed the seizure of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and its satellite town of Energodar by russians, spoke about those terrible events.

During the press conference, the participants of the event shared memories of the tragic days of March 3 and 4, 2022, as well as three years of life in a different reality.

According to Сhief Engineer of the Zaporizhzhia NPP Dmytro Verbytskyi, all employees understood that despite the assault of the plant and its seizure by ruscists, the failure of the ZNPP personnel to fulfill their duties would have a negative impact on the nuclear and radiation safety of the plant. “That is why everyone returned to their workplace and did their job. We were executing that until the last moment,” he recalled.

Plant Shift Supervisor Dmitro Cheban emphasized that despite the chaos that was happening around, each employee knew what to do: “We incorporated into one unit, together in spirit. Owing to such aspect, we survived that period and saved the plant.”

Unit Shift Supervisor Volodymyr Ivanenko recalls that after the russian assault began, the staff started to prepare for any scenario, because the NPP was not designed for military operations: “I am proud that I went through that shift with the people who were working at the time. We did everything required in that situation so that the worst consequences would not happen.”

NPP Senior Turbine Operator Dmitro Pakhomov stresses that at first the invaders were confident that the ZNPP staff would voluntarily sign contracts. However, after that did not happen, the occupiers began to offer money and high positions: “When I refused the offer, the next day they blocked my access pass to the ZNPP.”

Director General of the Zaporizhzhia NPP Ruslan Karikov said that highly qualified personnel who have left for the territory controlled by Ukraine continue to work at NNEGC. ZNPP specialists are ready to return home at any time and fulfill their duties to restore plant safe operation. The Company has done and keeps on doing everything possible to employ ZNPP staff as well as supports their qualification level: "We are ready and waiting for the liberation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP from ruscists, our return home, at our native plant.”