Russians set up drone crews and weapons depots at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

The Ukrainian intelligence agency has established that Russia has effectively turned the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Enerhodar into its own military base, positioning kamikaze drone ground control stations there and establishing weapons depots.

Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU)

Quote: "On the territory of the ZNPP, where all six nuclear reactors are in a state of 'cold shutdown', the Russian occupation army has positioned military equipment directly in the turbine halls of power units 1, 2, 5 and 6."

Details: Russian forces have reportedly set up weapons depots in the basement areas and bomb shelters of the plant and installed machine gun nests and missile systems on the roofs of the reactor buildings.

"The Russians are also storing ammunition and military equipment under the technical walkways and overpasses connecting the power units to other buildings," DIU reported.

In addition, the Russians are deploying ground control stations for Gerbera-Siker and Geran-Siker kamikaze drones at the ZNPP. According to intelligence, workers from the Alabuga special economic zone are involved in this process, including underage students.

Certain technical premises of the plant located near the shoreline of the former Kakhovka reservoir have been mined by the Russians, while the security of the seized ZNPP is provided by a Rosgvardia contingent of 1,500 personnel.

"IAEA experts do not have full access to the power units and special technical premises of the plant. Inspections are conducted according to a pre-agreed plan and route, which significantly complicates or makes impossible an objective assessment of the situation at the ZNPP," DIU stated.

The intelligence agency also warned that the power supply problem remains a serious safety risk at the Russian-seized nuclear plant. Before the occupation, the ZNPP had 10 external power supply lines; currently, due to Russian aggression, only one power line is functioning. On 3 July 2026, another blackout occurred at the plant – the 21st since the start of the full-scale invasion.

DIU reports that the Russians are not maintaining the necessary water level in the cooling pond. As of July 2026, it stands at 12.86 metres against a minimum required level of 15 metres. Of 57 special deep-water wells that form an important part of the cooling system, only 11 are equipped with the necessary high-capacity pumps.

The water deficit for the ZNPP's internal site needs is currently being offset by supply from the discharge channel of the Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant. This situation threatens the normal functioning of the reactor cooling systems and spent nuclear fuel storage.

A severe personnel shortage is also cited as a problem for the functioning of the occupied ZNPP. Before the full-scale invasion, around 11,000 people worked at the plant; currently around 7,500, including 500 employees of an outsourcing company that does not hold a licence to carry out work at the plant.

Quote: "All employees are being forced to sign contracts with Rosatom under threat of dismissal, while personnel brought in from the aggressor state's territory do not possess the qualifications necessary for the proper maintenance of the occupied Ukrainian power plant due to significant differences between the ZNPP and Russian nuclear energy facilities."

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