Free the detained Zaporizhzhia nuclear workers! Motion to TUC Congress 2026

The following motion on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant workers detained and tortured by Russia has been submitted to the 2026 TUC Congress – the conference of trade unions representing the great majority of organised workers in the UK – by the National Union of Mineworkers.

TUC Congress 2023 overwhelmingly passed strong policy in solidarity with Ukraine and its workers, which the NUM motion also reaffirms.

Congress takes place 13-16 September, in Brighton. We will be running a fringe meeting on Tuesday 15 September – more details soon.

(Photo: union-backed protest to free Ukrainian prisoners in Russia, including the Zaporizhzhia workers, at the Russian embassy in London on 8 July.)

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P78 Solidarity with Ukrainian workers

Congress condemns the detention and abuse of workers at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine by Russian occupation forces.

The occupiers have attempted to coerce workers into accepting Russian citizenship and new contracts. Of the 11,000 workers who operated the plant before occupation, only 3,000 remain.

At least 1,000 workers have endured psychological abuse and torture.

Fourteen workers, members of the Atomprofspilka union, have been abducted, subjected to show trials, and sentenced to prison terms of up to 25 years on fabricated charges, held in inhuman conditions.

Congress believes the persecution of ZNPP workers is a deliberate component of Russia’s murderous war against the Ukrainian people, which has targeted and killed thousands of civilians, including workers in the energy, mining, health, education, rail, fire and rescue and other sectors. Free trade unions in occupied areas have been suppressed.

Congress notes the appeals of our sister federations FPU and KVPU [the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine and Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine] for global labour movement solidarity and for support for Ukraine’s struggle.

Congress reaffirms its support for Ukraine’s fight for self-determination and applauds the resistance of the Ukrainian people to the reactionary and authoritarian order sought by Putin and assisted by Trump.

Congress instructs the General Council to:

1. continue campaigning in solidarity with Ukraine and its workers, in line with 2023 Congress policy

2. campaign for the release of the detained ZNPP workers

3. work within the ETUC and ITUC [the European Trade Union Confederation and International Trade Union Confederation] to highlight the plight of all workers in Russian occupied Ukrainian territory and strengthen international trade union action.

National Union of Mineworkers