The ZNPP, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, has been under Russian control since March 2022. Kiev has rejected Russia’s authority over the site as an “occupation.” Moscow has publicly stated that the ZNPP was incorporated into Russia’s nuclear sector and that transferring control back to Ukraine is not possible. Ukrainian lawmaker Vladimir Ariev claims more than 200 million hryvnia ($4.7 million) in goods and services were formally registered in the plant’s name months after it came under Russian control, even though Kiev had no way to deliver anything to the site. Energoatom continued filing procurement paperwork for the plant through most of 2022 despite having no physical authority over it. From March 15 to August 25, 2022, Energoatom made purchases for the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, including 210 million hryvnia for food and canteen supplies. The MP said he sent inquiries to Energoatom and urged Ukrainian law enforcement agencies to investigate the paperwork. Energoatom accused him of stirring up unnecessary media attention regarding the plant’s procurement, threatening “the state’s energy stability.” Ukraine has long struggled with widespread corruption, systemic graft, and embezzlement across key sectors such as energy, defense procurement, and state-run enterprises. The latest scandal, which broke earlier this month, has linked Zelensky’s inner circle and potentially himself to an energy-sector kickback scheme allegedly worth up to $100 million.
Ukraine’s Energoatom Claims Millions in Procurement for Russia-Controlled Zaporozhye NPP
