Russia is creating a “special fire unit” at the Zaporizhzhia NPP, involving Ukrainians
The occupation authorities have announced plans to create a special fire unit for the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. This was reported by Glavkom, citing the Center of National Resistance.
According to a draft decree by the Russian president, the unit will be part of the federal fire service and will consist of 211 personnel. The formation of the unit is scheduled for 2027–2028, and the decree is expected to come into force on April 1, 2026.
The Center of National Resistance emphasizes that behind the façade of a “rescue service” lies a mechanism for recruiting Ukrainians from occupied territories into Russia’s security structures: “Formally, it is a ‘rescue service.’ In reality, it is yet another channel for drawing men of conscription age into Russia’s силова система.”
At the same time, the situation at the plant remains critical. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that as of February 20, 2026, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant depends on a single main external power line due to damage to backup lines caused by hostilities. Although a “window of silence” was agreed upon for repairs, the continued presence of occupying forces and the creation of new militarized structures under the guise of firefighters further increase nuclear risks.
Recently, the IAEA warned about the dangerous condition of the Zaporizhzhia NPP. The plant, which is temporarily under the control of Russian military forces, is currently connected to only one external power transmission line. The agency stressed that this situation is highly unstable and increases nuclear safety risks at the facility.
Responding to a U.S. proposal for joint management of the plant, Russian representatives stated that they would not agree to any compromises.
Earlier, Russia’s nuclear regulator issued a 10-year operating license for the first power unit of the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy strongly condemned Russia’s attempt to issue a “license” for one of the plant’s power units, calling it illegitimate and dangerous. Restarting a reactor under occupation conditions poses the threat of a nuclear accident and would have international consequences.
The Zaporizhzhia NPP, with a capacity of six gigawatts — accounting for about a quarter of Ukraine’s pre-war electricity generation — remains a central issue in discussions about a future peace agreement.
