KURSK, Russia: UN nuclear agency chief Rafael Grossi is set to visit Russia’s Kursk nuclear power plant on Tuesday, following Moscow’s claims of repeated attacks by Ukrainian forces.
The Kursk plant, located approximately 40 km from the front lines in Russia’s western Kursk region, has come under scrutiny amid heightened tensions since Ukraine’s significant incursion into Russian territory on August 6.
The Kursk nuclear power station, a major Soviet-era facility with four RBMK-1000 reactors, has been a focal point in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
This reactor design is notorious for its association with the Chernobyl disaster of 1986, which remains the worst civilian nuclear catastrophe in history. Moscow has accused Ukraine of attempting to attack the Kursk plant, though Kyiv has not yet responded to these allegations.
Grossi’s visit, leading an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission, is intended to assess the plant’s security situation firsthand and verify the accuracy of the information received.
Grossi has emphasized the critical importance of ensuring the safety and security of nuclear facilities, warning of potential catastrophic consequences if these plants are compromised.
The conflict’s impact on nuclear safety has been a significant concern, with both Russia and Ukraine trading accusations over attacks on nuclear sites, including the Zaporizhzhia plant, which remains under dispute.
The IAEA’s role in verifying and ensuring safety at these facilities is vital to preventing a nuclear disaster.
In recent developments, Russian authorities reported finding remains of a drone near the Kursk plant’s spent fuel storage, although radiation levels in the area remain normal.
This incident, along with the broader context of military actions, underscores the heightened risks facing nuclear power plants in conflict zones.
