Since the early days of the 2022 invasion, Russia has controlled Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Although it is the largest nuclear facility in Europe, it has not produced electricity for more than a year. Despite holding the site, Russia has not restarted the reactors. The city of Zaporizhzhia, located about 440 kilometers southeast of Kyiv, is still under Ukrainian control, making the situation even more tense.

Fighting continues near the nuclear plant, and the front line remains dangerously close. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sends inspectors regularly to check on the site. Their goal is to avoid a nuclear disaster and to make sure safety rules are being followed. The IAEA has repeatedly said that any new moves at the plant must follow international standards and respect Ukraine’s laws.

Recently, the environmental group Greenpeace raised alarm over what it calls a dangerous new development. They say that Russia has started building new power lines in the occupied Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. These lines appear to be connected to the nuclear facility. Satellite photos show high-voltage line construction near the plant. Greenpeace believes this could be a sign that Russia plans to restart the plant without Ukraine’s permission.

While this warning has made headlines, the IAEA has not yet seen proof that a restart is happening soon. Inspectors say there is no clear sign that the reactors are being prepared for use. Still, the IAEA is keeping close watch. They continue to rotate teams of experts in and out of the facility to maintain oversight.

Russia has not confirmed the construction of the new power lines. Ukraine, however, has already told the IAEA and its member states that it objects to these actions. Officials in Kyiv say that any effort by Russia to operate the plant without permission is illegal. They see it as a serious violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty. Ukrainian authorities also warn that it breaks nuclear safety laws and puts the region at risk.

This is not the first time Russia has floated the idea of restarting the Zaporizhzhia plant. IAEA Director Rafael Grossi plans to talk about the matter with both Ukraine and Russia in upcoming meetings. He says any move to restart the plant must be handled with great care. Safety has to come first.

At the moment, all six nuclear reactors at Zaporizhzhia remain in cold shutdown. That means they are not generating electricity but still contain uranium fuel. Even in this state, the plant needs outside power to keep the cooling systems running. If those systems fail, it could cause a serious accident.

During the war, the plant has faced multiple power cuts. At times, workers had to rely on diesel generators to keep things stable. In 2023, the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam made things even worse. The plant used to rely on the Dnipro River for cooling water. After the dam was lost, plant staff had to turn to deep wells to find enough water. Experts warn that these wells can support shutdown mode, but not full operation. If Russia tries to start up the reactors, the water system would likely not be able to keep up with the demand.

An IAEA official recently said the current setup is not ready for a restart. There simply isn’t enough water to safely cool the reactors once they are running. This makes the idea of restarting the plant highly risky—not just for Ukraine but for the wider region.

Adding to the mix, former U.S. President Donald Trump brought up Zaporizhzhia in peace discussions earlier this year. In a March phone call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump suggested that the United States could help protect and manage Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, including Zaporizhzhia. The proposal sparked debate among international observers but has not yet been officially acted upon.

For now, the situation remains fragile. Russia controls the plant but cannot run it without breaking laws and risking safety. Ukraine demands full authority over the site and rejects any move by Russia to use it. The IAEA is stuck in the middle, working to prevent disaster while trying to get both sides to follow global rules.

The risks at Zaporizhzhia are real and growing. Frequent shelling near the site could lead to disaster. Any power loss or damage to safety systems would create a serious crisis. With new power lines being built and global talks heating up, the plant could become a major flashpoint in the war. The world is watching closely, and for good reason.