Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of attempting to attack the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant on August 22, 2024, escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Putin claims that Ukrainian forces tried to strike the plant overnight, stating, ‘The enemy attempted to attack the nuclear plant tonight’. However, he has not provided any evidence to support this accusation.The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been informed of the alleged incident, and IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi is scheduled to visit the plant next week to assess the situation. Grossi had previously expressed concern about the threat to the plant, citing its proximity to Ukrainian artillery positions.This accusation comes amid ongoing military operations in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have been conducting a counteroffensive for about two weeks. The region has reportedly lost 28 settlements to Ukrainian forces, with the city of Sudja, where the last working gas transit point from Russia to Europe is located, now under Ukrainian control.The Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, one of the largest in Russia with four energy blocks, is located in the town of Kurchatov, about 30 kilometers from the farthest Ukrainian advance into Russian territory. Alexei Likhachev, director-general of the Russian nuclear agency Rosatom, has warned that the situation around the plant has ‘considerably worsened,’ with air alarms activated 10 to 12 times a day in Kurchatov.While Putin has threatened ‘tough retaliatory measures’ if the plant is hit, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously stated that the Ukrainian military had no intention of attacking the plant. The IAEA has emphasized that the safety of nuclear power plants must not be jeopardized, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict.
Key points
- Putin accused Ukraine of attempting to attack the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, but provided no evidence.
- IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi is scheduled to visit the plant next week to assess the situation.
- The accusation comes amid ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Kursk region.
- The IAEA has emphasized the importance of nuclear safety in the context of the ongoing conflict.
Contradictions👾While Putin claims Ukraine attempted to attack the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously stated that the Ukrainian military had no intention of attacking the plant.
👾Putin threatens ‘tough retaliatory measures’ if the plant is hit, yet there’s no confirmation of an actual attack, only an alleged attempt.
