Enerhodar Under Siege: Transformation Amidst Occupation

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the city of Enerhodar, home to Europe's largest nuclear facility, has undergone a profound transformation under Russian control. Once a thriving community built around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), Enerhodar now stands as a heavily militarized zone, marked by human rights abuses, demographic shifts, and escalating nuclear safety concerns.

Enerhodar, established in 1970 in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Oblast, was developed primarily to support the ZNPP. Before the Russian invasion, the city had a population of approximately 52,000 residents, with about 11,000 employed at the nuclear facility. In early 2022, Russian forces occupied Enerhodar and the ZNPP, initiating significant changes in the city's demographic and administrative structures.

Under Russian control, Enerhodar has experienced substantial militarization. Elite Russian military units are stationed dangerously close to the nuclear reactors, raising concerns about nuclear safety. The Ukrainian population has decreased by more than half, with many residents fleeing the occupation. Abandoned properties have been seized, and Russian settlers have moved in, altering the city's demographic composition. The local administration now enforces Russian policies, further consolidating control over the area.

Reports from residents and human rights organizations highlight severe abuses under Russian control. At least 13 ZNPP employees have been illegally detained over the past three years. Some detainees have faced fabricated charges, such as espionage and sabotage, leading to lengthy prison sentences. There are also accounts of torture and coercion to force compliance with occupation authorities. Workers at the Russian-occupied ZNPP have been subjected to forced labor and pressured to sign contracts with Russia's state nuclear company, Rosatom. Those who resist face threats, including violence and imprisonment.

The education system in Enerhodar has been overhauled to promote Russian ideology. Schools have been restructured to instill Russian patriotism, with Ukrainian children subjected to re-education programs. Teachers and students who resist the new curriculum face threats of relocation or other punitive measures.

Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear corporation, plays a central role in Enerhodar's transformation. It has taken over the administration of the ZNPP, pressuring Ukrainian employees to sign contracts under its authority. Reports indicate that thousands of workers have been coerced, sometimes violently, into compliance. Rosatom also funds infrastructure projects and educational programs in Enerhodar, using these initiatives to further Russian influence and control over the local population.

The occupation and militarization of Enerhodar and the ZNPP have raised significant safety and security issues. The presence of military personnel and equipment within the nuclear facility increases the risk of accidents or deliberate sabotage. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed concerns about the precarious situation and the need for cooperation between Ukrainian and Russian personnel to ensure the plant's safety. The exodus of qualified Ukrainian personnel and the coercion of remaining staff have led to a shortage of experienced workers, potentially compromising the safe operation of the plant.

The developments in Enerhodar have profound social and societal implications. The forced displacement of residents, human rights abuses, and the imposition of Russian policies have created a humanitarian crisis, with many individuals facing persecution and limited access to essential services. The systematic indoctrination and suppression of Ukrainian identity threaten the cultural heritage and national identity of the local population.

The situation in Enerhodar underscores the complex and multifaceted issues arising from the occupation of the city and the ZNPP. The intersection of military occupation, human rights violations, and nuclear safety risks necessitates international attention and intervention to address the ongoing crisis and ensure the safety and well-being of the remaining Ukrainian residents under occupation.