Putin Accuses Ukraine of Attacking Kursk Nuclear Plant

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukrainian forces of trying to attack the Kursk Nuclear Power Station during an overnight raid. He mentioned that Moscow has reported the incident to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), although no supporting documentation was provided. Ukraine has not responded to these accusations.

Putin made this statement during a televised meeting, noting that Ukrainian forces have been fighting inside Russia for over two weeks. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated that their actions are part of an effort to end the war on terms favorable to Ukraine. During a visit to the northern Sumy region, Zelenskyy mentioned that Ukrainian soldiers had taken control of another Russian settlement and captured more prisoners of war.

Analysts believe that these raids into Russian territories boost Ukrainian morale. Following fighting near the Kursk nuclear plant, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi called for restraint from both sides. The Kursk plant, which houses four Soviet-era nuclear reactors, remains stable according to acting governor Alexei Smirnov.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, both countries have accused each other of reckless attacks on nuclear installations. The IAEA condemned the temporary takeover of the Chornobyl power facility by Russian soldiers in 2022. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine is currently under Russian control, with both sides accusing each other of dangerous actions near the plant.