Workers from Russia, tasked with operating the seized Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, have reportedly turned parts of the facility into living spaces that contravene established safety standards. Inspections by former staff reveal that these makeshift dormitories, created by Russian employees since the plant's occupation in March 2022, pose serious fire risks and undermine operational safety. The Russian state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, became the plant’s operator post-occupation, thus taking responsibility for its management and safety protocols.

Photos released on social media from a Telegram channel, Actual Enerhodar, show disturbing images of these improvised living conditions within the nuclear plant. These developments have drawn outcry from former Ukrainian officials and safety analysts who label the situation a disgrace, emphasizing that a nuclear power plant should maintain the highest safety standards. The fact that living spaces have been created in operational areas highlights a severe neglect for safety norms that could have catastrophic implications if accidents were to occur due to human error or compromised operational integrity.

The continued occupation and management of the Zaporizhzhia plant by Russian forces significantly complicate the already fraught situation in Ukraine, raising fears about nuclear safety not just for the local population but for the wider region. As the international community monitors the situation, the inability to ensure safety standards in a facility of such critical importance amplifies calls for accountability and proper oversight of the operations taking place within occupied territories.