Zaporizhzhya NPP worker comments on working for Russia and occupation

Zaporizhzhya NPP cannot work for Russia. There are no technical possibilities for this yet, a plant worker told Euroradio.

On May 18th, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin announced Russia's plans to sell Ukraine its own electricity from the Russian-occupied Energodar.

"If the Ukrainian energy system is ready to receive and pay, then it will work for Ukraine. If it won't accept, it will work for Russia," Khusnullin said.

However, the Zaporizhzhya NPP is connected to the Ukrainian energy system. In order for it to work for Russia, it also needs a connection, which does not exist.

"This is physically impossible. It needs wires going to Russia, and there are none. Maybe they will come up with something. We'll see," says Matvey (name changed), the NPP worker.

Piotr Kotin, acting president of Energoatom, also thinks that it is not possible to switch the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant to another power system for now.

The situation in the occupied city is not easy, but people hang in there and even continue to come out in protest.

"The situation looks like quiet schizophrenia. People are adapting to the new conditions of life, but it's more or less normal, except for the war," said Matvey.

On the morning of March 20, rescuers of Energodar staged a protest because the Russians had kidnapped the head of the First State Fire and Rescue Squad, Vitaly Troyan. Allegedly he was offered to work under the Russian flag, but he refused. In response to a peaceful protest in support of Troyan, people were beaten and fire and rescue equipment was damaged, according to Energodar Mayor Dmitry Orlov.

The kidnapping of Troyan was not the first in Energodar. Also, residents of the city have their phones and social feeds checked.

"If they find something, there will at least be a long talk with the Special Forces, they may put the person in the basement," said Matvey.

Although the occupiers plan to switch to the Russian ruble, people pay in hryvnias. Trade has become tight.

"We have food, we have everything. Everything is already mostly Russian-made. Prices are two and a half to three times higher. Chain stores are all closed. The nineties are back: all trade at the market is under the table. For hryvnias".

The city of Energodar, where the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant is located, was occupied by the Russians on March 4.

According to the Zaporizhzhya Regional Military Administration, Russia wants to hold a referendum in Energodar in order to attach the Zaporizhzhya NPP to Rosatom and destroy the Ukrainian energy system.

Despite attempts to create a semblance of support for the Russian occupation, Energodar residents have been protesting since the beginning and continue to do so even under repression.