The Global Risks of russia’s Occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
A First in History
The seizure of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) by russian forces in 2022 marked the first time in history that an active nuclear facility was taken over during an armed conflict. As of 2025, all six reactors remain in cold shutdown. While this reduces the immediate threat of meltdown, the long-term risks remain severe — not only for Ukraine, but for the entire world.
