25.03.2026
Last year, the VI Charity Football Tournament Energy Cup-Spring 2025, organized by Energy Club, brought together 12 teams from Ukraine’s leading energy companies for a common goal: supporting the Armed Forces. Six teams from NNEGC “Energoatom” demonstrated a high level of play and cohesion. The Zaporizhzhia NPP team became the silver medalist, and Denys Leshchenko was named the best player of the tournament. At the same time, the event’s primary achievement was the fundraising for the K-2 unit of the 20th Separate Brigade of Unmanned Systems, commanded by Hero of Ukraine Lieutenant Colonel Kyrylo Veres.
Serhii Snitkov, Head of the Primary Trade Union Organization of NNEGC “Energoatom” and Deputy Head of the Atomprofspilka, spoke about the significance of such initiatives, the role of sports in the lives of energy workers, and systematic support for the army. He emphasized that for the company, participation in the tournament is, first and foremost, a way to help the military, as well as a method to strengthen team spirit, reduce stress under high-pressure responsibilities, and support the unity of the energy community.
— Mr. Snitkov, why did NNEGC “Energoatom” decide to participate in last year’s Energy Cup? What is more important to you — sports, team spirit, or supporting the army?
— Without a doubt, supporting the army comes first. Our company’s trade union organization provides constant and systematic assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Secondly, it is about the development of sports. There are many energetic, athletic people among nuclear power plant employees. Every enterprise has professional football teams that participate in regional competitions, tournaments, Ukrainian championships, and inter-sectoral sporting events.
Positive, vivid emotions from a beautiful sport like football always provide inspiration, strengthen team spirit, and recharge our energy.
Every nuclear power plant — except for Zaporizhzhia NPP, which is unfortunately currently under occupation while its personnel work at other NNEGC “Energoatom” enterprises — holds its own Spartakiad. This year’s Spartakiads have already started. Furthermore, in June, we will hold the Atomprofspilka Spartakiad, open to all interested enterprises from the nuclear energy and agro-industrial sectors.
Last year, we participated in an inter-sectoral Spartakiad and won many first-place prizes. Before the full-scale invasion, Atomprofspilka was a winner in international competitions in Bulgaria, which brought together teams from enterprises in over 20 countries.
— Nuclear power plants are facilities with special operating regimes and high levels of responsibility. What is the significance of such sporting events for NPP employees in the context of their specific and intense work, especially under current conditions?
— I think the answer is obvious. After complex and responsible work, employees train and participate in sports competitions, releasing emotional tension through physical activity. This helps alleviate the stress that energy workers operating nuclear units face almost daily.
— Given Energoatom teams’ extensive experience in various competitions, how do you evaluate the Energy Club initiative and the organization of the tournament?
— Very positively. Many thanks to Energy Club for organizing large-scale football tournaments involving powerful companies that maintain the internal front in our country, saving and restoring the energy sector. The Energy Cup charity tournaments are, firstly, aid for the Armed Forces of Ukraine; secondly, sports; and thirdly, an opportunity to communicate with colleagues from other energy enterprises.
— How important is the support for energy workers, who are also fighters on the front lines today, given the state of the country’s energy system?
— Energy workers must definitely be supported in various ways — morally, emotionally, and financially. The industry constantly suffers from shelling, and we need to promptly restore generation sources; otherwise, a collapse will occur. But despite all the trials, we worthily survived a difficult winter and a challenging first month of spring. This is primarily the merit of energy workers, including NPP employees, who essentially saved and carried the state’s energy system on their shoulders. Many thermal power plants were damaged or destroyed and could not produce electricity. However, throughout this incredibly difficult time, all nine nuclear units currently operating in Ukraine were constantly in operation, generating the energy so vital to the state. It was likely only because of this that we survived an extremely harsh winter.
— Yes. Today, energy workers are our heroes alongside the defenders on the front lines. How is NNEGC “Energoatom” currently helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine?
— Our assistance covers many areas. This includes material support, medical treatment, and rehabilitation for the military, among other things.
— What impressions did Energy Cup-2025 leave behind? What was most memorable about last year’s charity tournament?
— Positivity, sporting passion, and vivid emotions. You always cheer for everyone; it doesn’t matter what place the teams take in the standings. They are all ours. I know many employees personally, so it is very gratifying that in such a difficult time, they organize into teams and play with dignity. For example, despite its personnel being scattered across Ukraine, the Zaporizhzhia NPP team forms a strong squad in just a few days. Last year, the ZNPP team became the silver medalist of the Energy Cup, and Denys Leshchenko was named the best player of the tournament.
— What did the victory bring to the team and the company as a whole? Do you plan to continue participating in such competitions?
— The victory brought satisfaction from the game itself. Football is an unpredictable game; at the start of a match, no one can say who will eventually win. European and World Championships demonstrate this. Bets are placed on strong players, but sometimes things go wrong, and a seemingly powerful team that everyone was sure would be the champion doesn’t even reach the semi-finals. But that’s the game. Today you are the champion; tomorrow, it’s someone else. Therefore, the main thing is the absolute pleasure of the game, the non-standard sporting situations, and the degree of passion that happens on the field.
So, of course, we will participate in this year’s Energy Cup and all subsequent ones. New competitions provide an opportunity to show the level of training and expertise. Moreover, the excitement is always captivating, as football is a strong and beautiful game.
Energy Cup proves once again: in times of trial, energy workers not only maintain the country’s stability but also unite for those defending it on the front lines. It is precisely such initiatives that forge the true strength of a community — through support, interaction, and shared responsibility for the result. Already at the beginning of June this year, the charity tournament will take place again, and the funds raised will traditionally be directed to help the K-2 unit, continuing the vital mission of supporting Ukrainian defenders.
