Russian President Vladimir Putin recently revealed that Russia and the US are in talks about the joint management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant—Europe’s largest nuclear facility—without Ukraine’s involvement. According to Russian media outlet Kommersant, Putin said the US is reportedly interested in using the plant’s electricity for Bitcoin mining.
During a meeting with business representatives, Putin also mentioned that Moscow and Washington are exploring ways to supply electricity to Ukraine. He added that Ukrainian specialists will continue working at the plant, but under Russian passports. The plant has been under Russian control since March 2022.
Ukraine’s response and international concern
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a joint operation of the plant with the US, calling it a crucial and sensitive part of any peace plan. Meanwhile, international bodies, including the IAEA, have repeatedly warned that any decisions about the facility made without Ukraine’s participation are illegal and raise serious safety concerns.
Power crisis and security risks
The Zaporizhzhia plant currently isn’t supplying electricity to Ukraine’s grid. Its six reactors remain in a safety shutdown, relying on emergency diesel generators for essential cooling, which are frequently interrupted due to ongoing energy attacks. Russia has reportedly launched more than 5,000 missiles and long-range drones into Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure and leaving the country’s power grid on the edge.
Private intelligence analysis from Molfar indicates that three active crypto mining pools in Ukraine consumed about 33 kW per hour between July 2023 and June 2024, showing how energy-intensive crypto operations can be amid an already strained grid.
At this point, the US has not released an official statement regarding the ongoing talks over Zaporizhzhia, which continue without Ukraine’s direct involvement—a situation that has raised international concern over both safety and sovereignty.
