Russia Constructs Power Transmission Line in Occupied Ukraine, Potentially Enabling Restart of Zaporizhzhia NPP

Strategic Insights -

Construction of a power transmission line in the Russian-occupied territory of Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions of Ukraine is underway, with the aim of restarting the seized Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). Satellite analysis by Greenpeace has identified Russian engineering construction of an electricity high-voltage power line for the ZNPP. This move has raised concerns about the risks of catastrophic failure at the facility, which has been under Russian occupation since March 2022.

Key Takeaways:

  • As of 23 May 2025, construction of the 90km power transmission line is ongoing, with 15 pylons and 5km of electricity line installed between 11-22 May 2025.
  • The construction is overseen by the Black Sea Regional Branch Dispatch office of the Russian occupiers' branch of JSC SO UES.
  • Greenpeace expects the construction to continue approximately 100km to the west to connect to a 330 ultra-high voltage substation in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and approximately 100km to the east to connect to a 750/330 kV substation to the north of Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast.
  • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns Russia's attempts to legitimize its illegal control over the nuclear plant and has called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to apply all available mechanisms to increase pressure on Russia.
  • International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi has stated that a potential restart of the occupied ZNPP could be possible within months following a ceasefire agreement.
  • Segey Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Presidential Administration, visited the Zaporizhzhia NPP in early May, urging staff to prepare the facility for power generation in accordance with Russian standards.

Statistics:

  • 90km of power transmission line has been constructed as of 23 May 2025.
  • 15 pylons and 5km of electricity line were installed between 11-22 May 2025.
  • The construction aims to connect to a 330 ultra-high voltage substation in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and a 750/330 kV substation to the north of Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast.
  • The Zaporizhzhia NPP has been under Russian occupation since March 2022.
  • The construction is overseen by the Black Sea Regional Branch Dispatch office of the Russian occupiers' branch of JSC SO UES.

Sources:

  • Greenpeace remote sensing satellite analysis
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
  • International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
  • Russian Presidential Administration
  • Reuters news agency (referring to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine)