Understanding of the current scenario - The scenario at the Sapporo nuclear power station is showing a troubling escalation, according to nuclear monitoring personnel.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expresses concern over the safety of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant Zaporizhzhia, following an incident in the vicinity. A blast took place close to the safety zone, which IAEA analysts at the site believed was initiated by a drone carrying explosives, as reported by the organization.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi voiced his concern again, stating, "We observe yet another escalation of nuclear security risks at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant." He remains "deeply troubled" and advises all parties to exercise restraint.
Despite multiple appeals for calm, there's no sign of reduced fighting
As per IAEA witnesses, the area surrounding the power plant was a hotspot of contention just last week. Despite these calls for de-escalation, hostilities show no signs of subsiding, it was noted. The power plant has reported damage several times in recent days.
Nuclear power plants are known to withstand technical or human failures and even extreme external influences, but they are not intended to withstand direct military attacks, mentioned Grossi. There was also a recent fire at a cooling tower in the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).
The power plant, which has been under Russian control since its invasion nearly two and a half years ago, has been a repeated target of attacks and acts of sabotage. Both Russia and Ukraine place blame on each other for these occurrences.
Russian nuclear agency: Tense situation in Kursk
Russia's state nuclear agency Rosatom had previously alerted Grossi to heightened tensions also in the vicinity of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev invited Grossi to visit the Kursk region and its NPP, as well as the city of Kursk, in a phone conversation. According to Russian reports, daily air raid alerts are being issued in Kursk due to the threat of Ukrainian attacks. Recent discoveries include rocket debris on the NPP site.
Rosatom and the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed evidence of Ukrainian plans for provocation against the Kursk NPP. The ministry in Moscow threatened severe repercussions if such an event were to occur. Further details were unavailable.
Rosatom emphasized that the peril isn't only confined to the two power plants but encompasses a broader risk to the nuclear safety guidelines set forth by the IAEA. Potential damage to the global reputation of nuclear energy could result, one of many allegations against Moscow in the wake of the Zaporizhzhia NPP occupation.
Given Ukrainian advances in the Russian region of Kursk, which began on August 6, the IAEA had previously warned of potential hazards to the Kursk NPP. It remains uncertain whether the Ukrainian offensive is targeting the Kursk NPP. Russia has beefed up security at the nuclear facility, which is approximately 60 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Additionally, a portion of the workers constructing two new reactors there were temporarily relocated.
Selenskyj: Kursk offensive continues as planned
Selenskyj discussed further advancements in the Kursk region after conversing with the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi. "The operation is progressing as anticipated. The bravery of the Ukrainians is translating into significant achievements. Now we're reinforcing our positions," said Selenskyj.
The Ukrainian Air Force claimed the destruction of a crucial bridge. The span over the Seym River in the Glushkovsky district is now in ruins, disrupting a significant supply line for Russian troops. "Ukrainian pilots are striking enemy strongholds, concentrations of equipment, and logistics centers and supply routes of the enemy," said Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk.
According to Russian military bloggers on the Telegram channel "Rybar," the bridge was initially targeted with a US-type multiple rocket launcher, the Himars, and later destroyed with a glide bomb. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow condemned the employment of NATO weapons on Russian territory.
Zelensky also revealed that Ukraine is capturing more Russian prisoners of war in the Kursk region to boost bargaining power for the next prisoner exchange with Russia. The objective is to bring back captive soldiers and civilians.
As per recent reports from Kyiv, Ukraine controls more than 80 settlements and 1,500 square kilometers of territory in the Kursk region. The credibility of figures provided by the warring parties is unverifiable. Experts estimate that figures provided by Kyiv are half that amount. Around 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers are reportedly deployed in the Kursk region.
Zelensky once again urged the West to offer long-range weapons. He argued that the strategic most significant concern of this war is the capability of Ukrainian forces to utilize such weapons against Russia. At present, Western allies appear to be lacking the necessary authorization, criticized Zelensky. He cited Britain as an instance where progress has slowed down.
The resilience and courage of Ukrainian soldiers are currently offsetting the reluctance of Western partners, said the president. "And we could render the invader incapable of advancing or causing damage if our long-range capabilities were sufficient." Zelensky has long advocated for his military to be permitted to use rockets and cruise missiles against targets in Russia. Currently, there are constraints on this.
Zelensky also discussed the situation in the contested eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. The Russian side continues to launch numerous attacks. Moscow also reported new attacks in the region. The Russian units have further fortified their positions in the Donbas, the Ministry of Defense in Moscow announced.
Eastern Ukrainian troops are putting in their best efforts to ward off attacks and inflict substantial damage on the enemy, as mentioned by Zelensky. "Things are still handled with precision," he added. Simultaneously, Ukraine is making strides to secure fresh pledges of weapon supplies from its Western allies.
Zelensky aims to intensify the strain on Moscow to encourage a ceasefire through talks with the adversary. Regrettably, such dialogue appears even more distant from Russia's viewpoint due to Ukraine's aggressive pushback.
The ongoing conflict in the Kursk region poses a significant threat to the nearby Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, as mentioned by Russia's state nuclear agency Rosatom. The tension surrounding the plant has led to daily air raid alerts due to the perceived threat of Ukrainian attacks, further escalating nuclear security risks.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which has been under Russian control since the invasion, continues to face attacks and acts of sabotage, highlighting the vulnerability of energy infrastructure in conflict zones.
