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Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, south-east Ukraine, is the biggest in Europe (Image: Getty)
Vladimir Putin famously thought Kyiv would fall in three days when he launched Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. And while his forces were pushed back at incredible speed by Ukraine’s defenders, Russia did achieve something in those opening weeks which now seems could be central to peace deal talks.
In early March 2022, Ukraine confirmed Russian forces had seized control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The plant, on the banks of the Dnipro River, which runs through the heart of the country, is Europe’s biggest, with six reactors. Zaporizhzhia has not produced electricity for years but can produce enough energy for around four million homes.
Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is seemingly part of peace talks (Image: Getty)
Now, it appears the plant - which is also one of the three largest in the world - could play a major role in peace talks brought forward by the US.
President Donald Trump has already said a “very big power plant” is part of the talks, which is being interpreted by many to be Zaporizhzhia.
He confirmed on Sunday evening that plants will be discussed in talks with Mr Putin on Tuesday.
He told reporters aboard Air Force One: "I think we'll be talking about land. It's a lot different than it was before the war, as you know. We'll be talking about power plants, that's a big question.
"But I think we have a lot of it already discussed very much by both sides, Ukraine and Russia. We're already talking about that, dividing up certain assets and they've been working on that."
Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has six reactors and is one of the biggest in the world (Image: Getty)
There is also a nuclear power plant in the Russian region of Kursk where Ukraine seized territory in a secretive cross-border raid launched last year.
But in a blow to Kyiv's bargaining power in peace talks, Ukrainian forces have been retreating from the area amid Russian advances.
The Zaporizhzhia area, south-east Ukraine, is one of the main industrial areas of the country and Volodymyr Zelensky believes Russia wants to put the plant into operation.
According to Ukrainian news website TSN.ua, the Ukrainian president told journalists: “This moment itself, the station itself, is a problem for the Russians, a big problem. And it will constantly be raised.
“In principle, without Ukraine, its existence is impossible. To restore it, money, specialists, and time – several years – are needed. There is no dam, no technical water. Many expensive processes are required to restore it.
"They shelled the plant. I am sure they want to connect it now. Moreover, I am sure they will make political, public statements that the station will soon be operating and supplying electricity to the territories controlled by the Russians. But it will not happen quickly. And under constant political pressure will be the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency). Because the IAEA cannot allow them to do this.”
Donald Trump says power plants will be a "big question" in talks with Moscow (Image: Getty)
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi warned last year that the situation at the plant is precarious and fragile.
The UN nuclear watchdog says Zaporizhzhia has been struck by drones, experienced loss of power lines and suffered a fire which caused significant damage to one of its two cooling towers.
The plant has reportedly been repeatedly disconnected from Ukraine’s power grid due to Russian attacks on Kyiv’s energy infrastructure.
In 2023, Ukraine accused Russia of placing explosives on the roofs of two of the power station’s reactors - which are heavily protected with reinforced concrete.
Fighting and incidents in and around the site have sparked fears of nuclear disaster, with experts warning radiation could spread across Europe.
Zaporizhzhia is almost twice the size of Chernobyl - the Soviet-era power plant in the north of Ukraine.
Chernobyl was the scene of the world’s biggest nuclear accident in 1986 and was hit by a Russian drone last month, Ukraine claimed.
The US is continuing to push for an end to the war.
Last week, Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US but Russia said several details needed to be negotiated first.
Russian forces currently control around 20% of Ukraine.
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