On November 25, a working meeting was held to coordinate efforts aimed at the release and support of civilian residents of Enerhodar, including employees of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), who are being unlawfully detained by the Russian Federation.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ukrainian delegation to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), JSC “NNEGC Energoatom,” local self-government bodies of Enerhodar, and human rights organizations.

During the meeting, participants discussed the current situation regarding the unlawful deprivation of liberty of civilians in the temporarily occupied territory of Zaporizhzhia region, as well as outlined further steps for international human rights and advocacy efforts.

The meeting was opened by Denys Yehorov, Director for International Cooperation of JSC “NNEGC Energoatom.” He emphasized that the unlawful detention of civilian energy workers constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law and fundamental human rights. He also expressed gratitude to representatives of the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna for their continued diplomatic support and coordination.

Rostyslav Palahusynets, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna, stressed that the Ukrainian delegation regularly raises the issue of unlawful detentions before the IAEA and partner states, and informs the international community about the situation around the Zaporizhzhia NPP and the crimes committed by the occupation administration.

A separate part of the meeting was devoted to the activities of the Working Group on Facilitating the Release of Unlawfully Detained ZNPP Employees and Residents of Enerhodar. Viacheslav Huba, Chief Adviser to the Chair of the Board of JSC “NNEGC Energoatom,” emphasized the priority of this area of work and the need for close cooperation with human rights organizations.

Ihor Kotelianets, Head of the Association of Relatives of Political Prisoners of the Kremlin, presented updated statistics on unlawful detentions. As of November 25, 2025, information is available on 35 civilians who have been unlawfully deprived of liberty: 14 are current employees of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, and 1 is a former ZNPP employee and pensioner.

Among the other detainees are residents of Enerhodar, including 2 employees of the Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant, a social worker from the Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Enerhodar City Council, an employee of the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety, as well as workers from the education and healthcare sectors, the energy and industrial sectors, a psychologist, employees of the retail sector, and local self-government bodies.

Among those unlawfully detained are 25 men and 10 women.

By year of detention:
– 2022: 7 persons;
– 2023: 10 persons;
– 2024: 9 persons;
– 2025: 2 persons.

For the remaining individuals, information on the date of detention is unavailable, which indicates violations of basic standards for the treatment of detained civilians.

Criminal cases are being mass-fabricated against civilians. The most common charges include “espionage,” “terrorism,” “treason,” “subversive activities against the authorities,” as well as accusations related to the manufacture and possession of explosives. In most cases, multiple charges are brought simultaneously, underscoring the repressive rather than legal nature of these persecutions.

When speaking about unlawful detentions, it is impossible not to mention those who died while in captivity. One such case is the death of Oleksandr Yevheniiovych Markov, a resident of Dniprorudne, Zaporizhzhia region, who was unlawfully sentenced by the occupation authorities to 14 years of imprisonment. He died on June 25, 2025, during his transfer to a penal colony in Krasnodar Krai. His son and brother are residents of Enerhodar. Oleksandr’s death was reported by his son, Andrii.

During the discussion of next steps, participants supported the idea of strengthening international advocacy efforts, including by holding a special side event in Vienna ahead of a meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors, with the participation of released ZNPP employees as witnesses to human rights violations.

The meeting reaffirmed that the issue of unlawful detention of Enerhodar residents and Zaporizhzhia NPP employees is not a domestic matter, but an international human rights challenge that requires sustained attention, pressure, and solidarity from the global community.

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