A Russian nuclear power plant in the Kursk region is reportedly at risk of a nuclear incident as the war between Russia and Ukraine intensifies, according to a United Nations official.
Rafael Grossi, the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), expressed concerns this week after visiting the plant.
Grossi stated that the situation is “serious” and highlighted the danger of a nuclear incident following several drone attacks on the plant’s facilities.
“Today, I was told about several cases of drone attacks on the territory, on the plant’s facilities. At the plant, I saw traces of these attacks,” Grossi said.
In a social media post, Grossi reiterated the urgency of preventing a nuclear accident in the ongoing conflict. “Attacking any nuclear power plant is unacceptable, no matter the location,” he wrote. The IAEA continues to advocate for nuclear safety and security across the conflict zone.
The region has been a flashpoint in the ongoing war, with Ukraine launching a surprise offensive in Kursk earlier this month.
As fighting escalates, thousands of Russians have been evacuated from the area. Ukrainian forces reportedly gained control of approximately 1,300 square kilometers of the region, with Ukraine’s military claiming to have captured hundreds of Russian soldiers.
The conflict has seen casualties, with the Russian Defense Ministry reporting substantial losses for Ukraine, including the destruction of over 70 tanks and the deaths of around 6,600 troops. However, these figures have not been independently verified.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has continued to push for deeper strikes within Russia, though he noted that his allies have not approved such actions.
The escalation of violence in Kursk has further strained any prospects for peace talks, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stating that Ukraine’s offensive has “ended any possibility” of negotiations between the two nations.
