Russia Builds Power Lines to Restart Seized Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant

Satellite images verified by multiple reports reveal that Russia is constructing over 50 miles of power lines and pylons in occupied southeastern Ukraine to connect the seized Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to its own energy grid. This construction, linking the plant to a substation near Mariupol, is seen as the first physical evidence of Moscow's intent to restart and exploit the largest nuclear facility in Europe, which it captured early in the war. Experts caution that fully integrating the plant into Russia's grid will require building additional lines and time, and warn of the significant risks involved in operating the plant amid ongoing hostilities. The move represents an unprecedented case of a warring state seizing and attempting to use another country's nuclear facility for its energy needs, raising international concern and complicating peace negotiations. Greenpeace nuclear specialist Shaun Burnie emphasized that securing these new transmission lines is critical to Putin's plan for restarting the plant. The situation remains precarious, given the plant's proximity to active conflict zones and the potential for nuclear disaster.