News Feed

Energoatom: Russian troops assault Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant’s staff

2 min read

Russian forces “severely beat” the head of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant’s department of social programs, Oleksii Trubenkov, and his deputy Yurii Androsov on Dec. 8, according to Ukraine’s state nuclear energy operator Energoatom. They did it in front of other employees of the occupied plant and then took the two men away, Energoatom reported.

Russian troops also detained Kostiantyn Beiner, the plant’s shift chief, who is directly responsible for nuclear and radiation safety, the energy operator added.

With these actions, Russian occupying forces are trying “to gain loyalty” from the pro-Ukrainian staff, force more employees to sign contracts with Russia’s state nuclear power operator Rosatom, and report to Russian leadership about the “support” of the Ukrainian personnel, according to Energoatom.

The Ukrainian operator reported on Dec. 1 that the newly appointed by Russia “head” of the Zaporizhzhia plant, Yury Chernichuk, had been ordered to try to convince the staff to transfer to Rosatom. He promised them alleged “high wages, stability, and social benefits.”

Russian troops have been in control of the plant since early March and have used it as a military base and attacks on Ukraine, according to multiple reports by Ukrainian authorities and local officials.

Avatar
The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.

Read more
News Feed

"This collaboration serves as a testament to our country's commitment to the defense of democratic values, to freedom, and to a just and lasting peace," Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said during a visit to Kyiv.

At a press conference in Kyiv on April 22, Ukraine’s Deposit Guarantee Fund and Polish fintech Zen.com, registered in Lithuania, said the company had acquired First Investment Bank, known as PINbank, which was transferred to the state in 2023 and later declared insolvent.

Vladimir Plahotniuc was Moldova's wealthiest businessman and de facto controlled the country's government in the 2010s in what critics described as a "captured state." His fall from grace is seen by his opponents as part of Moldova's alignment with European liberal and democratic values.

Video

The Kyiv Independent’s Kateryna Denisova sits down with Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's former foreign minister, to discuss U.S.-led peace talks, Donald Trump’s approach to Ukraine, Europe’s role in ending the war, and why he believes neither Washington nor Moscow can impose a settlement on Kyiv.

Show More