Oleksii Melnychuk is a leading engineer at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. He dedicated 19 years to his work. He shared his memories of resisting the seizure of Enerhodar and his work at the occupied ZNPP with the documentarians of the Association.

In the early days of the war, Oleksii recalls, the city was preparing for the arrival of Russian troops: "Immediately, we began to build defensive structures. It was evident that people understood that a full-scale war was underway, that they were Ukrainians, and that they needed to defend their homeland. I will remember for the rest of my life how our entire city went out with bare hands, practically against tanks."

In the evening of March 3, 2022, the Russian Armed Forces began tank shelling of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and Ukrainian defensive positions. After passing through the checkpoint occupied by the invading forces, the Russians directed a column of over a hundred vehicles and tanks to storm the nuclear power plant, seizing it the next day. As a result of the attack, the administrative and training buildings, temporary bridges, and transformer equipment of the Unit IV were damaged.

"On March 4, the previous shift remained at the station for practically a day. Later, buses arrived with other workers to replace the guys. During this short period, when there were almost no workers, the occupiers entered the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and took Ukrainian defenders from the ranks of the National Guard. What happened to them next is unknown to me."

After the occupation of the power plant by the Russian army, Oleksii continued to go to work. He saw how Russian military personnel deployed equipment and explosives on the territory of the nuclear facility.

"It is very dangerous when such people are present at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, especially with military equipment, explosives, and weapons. Moreover, I saw how relaxed and at ease the Russians felt at the station — sunbathing and playing football."

Soon after the seizure, psychological pressure began on the station's personnel regarding signing new employment contracts with "Rosatom." According to Oleksii 's recollections, initially, this occurred according to a standard scheme — an FSB representative and an agent of the Russian corporation would enter the employee's office and spend eight hours persuading them to agree to the contract. Interviews were conducted among the licensed personnel — individuals were called in one by one and forced to sign a new employment contract. Among the staff of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, there were traitors who handed over the addresses of activists participating in the defense of the city to the occupiers.

Six months after the occupation, in July 2022, Oleksii left with his family. Currently, he is involved in volunteering and working at the Energodar Hub. After the liberation of the city, he plans to return: "All workers want to return, restore the operation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant because it is necessary for our country. And there are our homes."