In Putin's words, Ukraine contemplated launching an assault on the nuclear power plant located in Kursk.
Tensions surrounding the conflicts in Kursk pose a potential risk to the local nuclear power plant. In response, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) urges "maximum caution." Russian leader Vladimir Putin alleges that Ukraine is planning an attack on the nuclear power plant in Kursk. Putin shared this accusation without presenting any concrete proof during a televised meeting with his cabinet.
The nuclear power plant is situated about 100 kilometers from the border, in the Russian region of Kursk. On August 6th, Ukrainian forces unexpectedly moved into the area. Now, Ukraine claims control over nearly a hundred settlements and over a thousand square kilometers of land, following the initiation of their counteroffensive. In light of these developments, the IAEA expressed concerns about the impact of the disputes on the Kursk NPP and urged all parties to practice "maximum restraint."
Just hours prior to Putin's accusations against Ukraine, the IAEA announced that its director, Rafael Grossi, intended to visit the Kursk NPP the following week. Since the beginning of Russia's conflict with Ukraine, the IAEA has consistently warned about the potential dangers of a nuclear mishap due to the ongoing conflicts, particularly near the Russian-occupied Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia. The Vienna-based agency has most recently highlighted the deteriorating situation around the facility following a drone strike.
Russia seized the Zaporizhzhia NPP in March 2022, as part of its military campaign against Ukraine. Since then, due to the fighting, frequent incidents have occurred, with both Kyiv and Moscow assigning blame.
The nuclear power plant in Kursk, which is under potential risk due to the tensions, is located about 100 kilometers from the border. In response to the escalating conflicts, the IAEA has urged all parties involved to exercise "maximum restraint" to prevent any harm to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant.
