Gen Pavlenko: In 2023, DIU Operators Attempted to Create Foothold for Liberation of Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant

In August–September 2023, the units of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine made at least three attempts to cross the Dnipro River near Enerhodar.

This was reported by Major General Ilia Pavlenko, former deputy head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

The operations were carried out with the aim of creating a bridgehead for the liberation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

“Unfortunately, they did not succeed,” said Ilia Pavlenko.

However, the Russians were forced to keep significant forces there and did not dare to connect the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to their power grid at that time.

Russia still intends to restart and operate the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, despite the risks and calls to resolve the issue of the plant’s status through peaceful negotiations.

A report by Greenpeace states that satellite images show that since early February 2025, Russia has been building more than 50 miles of power lines and pylons between the occupied Ukrainian cities of Mariupol and Berdiansk along the coast of the Sea of Azov.

Greenpeace notes that the aim of the project is to connect the new power lines to a large substation near Mariupol, which was connected to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

“Putin’s plan to restart the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant depends on securing new power lines — this is the first physical evidence of those plans,” Greenpeace nuclear energy expert Sean Burnie said in an interview.

According to experts, Russia will have to build several more lines to fully connect the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to its own power grid, and this process will take time.

The nuclear power plant has been under occupation since March 4, 2022. That same year, all power units were gradually put into “cold shutdown” mode.

However, the lowering of the reservoir due to the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant Dam deprived the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant of its water source for cooling the reactors. The volume of groundwater supplied by 11 wells newly built by the occupiers is insufficient, so they are now also building a floating pumping station.