Russia kidnaps ZNPP deputy director, Energoatom says
Russia is trying to get information about the personal affairs of employees of Zaporizhzhya NPP (Photo:REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko)
Russian forces in occupied Enerhodar have kidnapped Valery Martyniuk, Deputy Director of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), Ukraine’s nuclear operator Energoatom said in a Telegram post on Oct. 11.
“Yesterday, on Oct. 10, Russian troops kidnapped Valery Martyniuk, Deputy General Director of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, and are holding him in an unknown location, probably using their methods of torture and intimidation,” Energoatom’s message said.
According to the message, Russia is trying to obtain information about the personal files of employees of the ZNPP, hoping to coerce Ukrainian personnel to work for Russia’s Rosatom as soon as possible.
“The invaders literally use torture against the ZNPP nuclear workers, without shying away from some of the most cruel methods,” Energoatom said.
Energoatom urged International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi and the international community to use all possible means to secure Martyniuk’s release.
On Sept. 30, the Russian invaders detained Ihor Murashov, Director General of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and took him to an unknown location. According to law enforcement officials, the Russian military stopped Murashov's car on the way from the station to the occupied Enerhodar, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and took him away by force.
By Oct. 3, Murashov was released and returned to his family.
On Oct. 5, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin signed a "decree," ordering the "transfer" of the occupied ZNPP into Russian ownership.
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