Occupying Russian authorities have sentenced Serhii Potynh, a civil engineer at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), to 19 years in prison on what are perceived fabricated terrorism charges.
The sham trial, which provided scant evidence to meet the burden of proof, took place on March 26, where Potynh was found guilty and sentenced to a high-security penal colony, according to Enerhodar’s mayor, Dmytro Orlov, as reported by Hromadske.
“This is clearly an act of revenge for his loyalty to Ukraine. His life and health are now at serious risk!” Orlov said.
Russia seized control of the ZNPP on March 4, 2022 amid intense fighting in the southern region. It’s Europe’s largest nuclear power plant and has been a focal point of concern because of the potential risks associated with fighting near such a critical infrastructure site.
Potynh lived in the temporarily occupied city of Enerhodar, where the ZNPP is based, and worked as a safety engineer at the plant. After the occupation, he chose to stay and continue working at the facility.
He was taken prisoner in June 2023 and has now been held captive for nearly two years. Energoatom, Ukraine’s state nuclear energy regulator, reports that Potynh is and was regularly tortured by the Russians.
The exiled mayor of Enerhodar has called on the international community, diplomats, and human rights organizations to do everything possible to secure the release of Potynh and all other civilian captives.
Russian forces have been abducting ZNPP employees since the plant’s occupation. Over 40 workers were captured in July 2022, mostly for ransom. That same month, two specialists were taken to an unknown location, and in October, the plant’s deputy general director, Valerii Martyniuk, was also taken.
“In April 2023, Energoatom reported that the Russians had abducted four plant workers who were seen as loyal to the invaders. […] In February 2025, the Russians took two Ukrainian energy workers hostage while they were working at the plant,” Hromadske adds.
Cover: Dmytro Orlov on Facebook
