I am a Quaker and have been led to write to our community regarding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant located in southeastern Ukraine. Zaporizhzhia is located in the Russian-speaking part of Ukraine. 

Since February of 2022 I have been worshipping about five times a week with an International Quaker Meeting via Zoom. This Quaker Meeting was created after Ukraine was invaded by Russia. A member of this Meeting, recently, had a vision of protecting the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) with a spiritual dome.

CBS News published an article on March 30, 2023. “U.N. pushes for Russia-Ukraine deal to protect Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant, warns of ‘more dangerous phase’ “Rafael Grossi, the head of the United Nations’ global nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, made his second trip to ZNPP this last week of March, to be present and inspect the state of the power plant. His main message is one of diplomacy. He sends out the message that we are very much so interconnected, that if a nuclear accident happened at the plant, the world would be affected, Ukraine and Russia, most directly.”

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is Europe’s largest nuclear power plant. All six reactors at ZNPP are currently shut down. However, nuclear fuel, both spent and usable, must be cooled in order to keep everything safe. Electricity and water must be accessible. Russian troops have occupied the plant since March 4, 2022. In addition to the Russian troops, there are about 3,000 dedicated, skilled Ukrainian workers. (These 3,000 workers are about 1/4 of the normal staff formerly running the power plant.) Safety of the nuclear power plant is still of utmost importance. “The Russian state has set up a company assisted by Rosatom, Russia’s national nuclear energy operator to manage the plant.” (Mark Hibbs, “The narrow field of options for safely managing Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant”, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, March 10, 2023)

If you are so moved, envision the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant being protected. You can see the power of a loving, light filled dome. Thank you. Thank you. Thank all the workers who are currently keeping the plant safe. You can “prayerfully talk” to the Russian troops who have occupied the power plant. Perhaps see their transition from military might to the power of mindfully being a caretaker. Envision Russian leaders and Ukrainian leaders being guided by the International Atomic Energy Agency to agree to demilitarize the area in and around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. To ensure safety, we need a cease-fire zone of safety in and around the plant. Envision Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy talking with each other. 

Begin to end this war. 

Thank you for reading and listening. Perhaps you will join in and prayerfully, with an open mind and heart, envision the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant being a safe place. Envision ending this war in Ukraine.

Another member of our international Quaker Meeting for Worship just wrote his vision: What we need are meditating groups around the world that build a critical mass to create coherence and peace.

Patricia Heather-Lea

Bristol