Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Energodar Ukraine
Russian military vehicles at the gates of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in May 2022.
  • Russia launched its attack on Ukraine in February 2022 with plans for a quick victory.
  • Those plans depended in part on seizing Ukraine's nuclear power plants and using them for leverage.
  • Russia's ambitions for those plants were foiled when Ukraine fended off the initial attack.

When he launched his invasion, Russian President Vladimir Putin had ambitious goals for Ukraine.

Within three days to a week of attacking, Putin planned to capture Kyiv, topple Ukraine's government, and demilitarize Ukrainian forces.