U.S. Sanctions Russian Operator at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

March 2025

The United States announced sanctions on the Russian entity operating the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant amid renewed warnings from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about the safety and security of nuclear facilities in Ukraine.

In a Jan. 15 statement, the Treasury Department said it was sanctioning Russia’s Federal State Unitary Enterprise Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which Moscow established to run the complex after Russia’s illegal attack and occupation of the facility.

The operating organization was included in a list of sanctions targets that Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said is aimed at undermining Russia’s abilities to “circumvent our sanctions and get access to the goods they need to build weapons” for use against Ukraine.

In January, the IAEA team stationed at the Zaporizhzhia site reported explosions near the perimeter. The IAEA delayed rotating new staff into the facility in February due to military activity in the area. IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi said it is “completely unacceptable” to disrupt the rotation of agency staff, “who are carrying out vital work” to prevent a nuclear accident.

He also expressed concern about a Feb. 14 strike that punctured the roof of the structure designed to prevent radioactive releases at the Chernobyl nuclear complex and sparked a fire. Despite the damage, the IAEA said there was “no change in radiation levels at the site.”

Grossi said the attack on the Chernobyl facility is “especially concerning” given the increased military activity around the Zaporizhzhia complex. “Attacking a nuclear facility is an absolute no-go” and should never happen, he said.—KELSEY DAVENPORT