- Concerns about Russia's Kursk nuclear power plant
In light of Ukraine's advance into the Russian territory of Kursk, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warns of potential dangers to the local nuclear power plant. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi urged both sides to adhere to the rules for nuclear safety in conflict zones. "Significant military activities" are being reported in the region, Grossi said in Vienna. "At this point, I appeal to all sides to exercise maximum restraint to avoid a nuclear accident with potentially serious radiation consequences."
The exact scope and objectives of Ukraine's border crossing since Tuesday remain unclear. In response, the Russian army struck a supermarket in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostjantyniwka on Friday, killing at least 14 people and injuring 40 more. "This is deliberate and targeted Russian terror," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening video address. "Another war crime for which the occupier will be held accountable." Ukraine has been repelling a large-scale Russian invasion for nearly two and a half years. In the night, the Russian air force struck the Ukrainian region of Sumy with glide bombs.
Out of concern for Ukrainian reconnaissance and sabotage groups, the Russian regions of Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod have been declared anti-terrorism operation zones, according to the state news agency TASS. These are the three regions where Russian and Ukrainian forces are directly facing each other at the border. Security agencies are granted additional powers to combat terrorism.
Tensions at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant
Due to the Kursk nuclear power plant, Grossi, as head of the IAEA, reminded Russia and Ukraine of the principles for the safety of nuclear facilities in crisis situations. He also recalled the additional rules established for the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP in southern Ukraine, "which are also applicable to this case." It doesn't matter where a nuclear power plant is located.
Although it is completely unclear whether Ukraine's advance is targeting the Kursk NPP, tensions are rising there. Since Wednesday, the Russian National Guard has reinforced the protection of the nuclear plant in the city of Kursk, about 60 kilometers from the border. The farthest advances of Ukrainian troops, reported without confirmation, only reached about half that distance into Russia. However, some workers building two new reactors at the plant were temporarily withdrawn, the construction company Atomstroyexport announced.
Power was cut in the city of Kursk and surrounding areas due to a Ukrainian drone strike, according to the acting governor of Kursk, Alexander Smirnov, on Telegram. Russia also informed the IAEA that parts of Ukrainian rockets were found on the grounds of the NPP. However, there was no direct shelling, according to a letter from the Russian mission to international organizations in Vienna. These reports were not independently verifiable.
Ukraine tops up prisoner exchange fund
Ukrainian leadership has yet to comment on the advance of their army with tanks and artillery onto Russian territory. However, in his Friday evening video message, Zelensky thanked soldiers who had taken Russian prisoners. "This is very important, and it has been particularly successful in the past three days," he said. If the exchange fund is filled, more Ukrainian prisoners could be released from Russia. Since the start of the push on Tuesday, there have been several videos showing groups of Russian soldiers being captured, including border guards at the Sudzha crossing.
There have been few reliable reports on the military situation in this combat zone. A video circulating on the Ukrainian TV channel Hromadske showed Ukrainian soldiers at the Sudzha gas station. From there, a major Russian natural gas pipeline leads towards Ukraine and Central Europe. In the Russian military blog Rybar, it was stated that the situation had stabilized since the previous days. "But it's too early to say that we've taken the initiative."
The Ukrainian General Staff reported in its evening report 70 engagements along the front in the east and south of the country. While the exact number is not verifiable, it is lower than in recent days. Particularly heavy fighting was reported in the Pokrovsk sector in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
USA provides more military aid to Ukraine
The USA is providing Ukraine with an additional $125 million (around €114 million) in military aid to defend against the Russian invasion. Included are "anti-aircraft missiles, ammunition for rocket systems and artillery, multi-purpose radars, and anti-tank weapons," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. This is the tenth such package. In recent months, the USA has provided several tranches of aid after the US Congress approved around $61 billion (€56.2 billion) for Kyiv at the end of April.
Despite the unclear intentions of Ukraine's advance, the potential impact on the area around the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant cannot be overlooked. Given the heightened tensions, Grossi emphasized the importance of following international guidelines for maintaining nuclear facility safety in crisis situations, including the additional rules established for the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP.
