The International Atomic Energy Agency said it was monitoring the situation and calling for restraint following reports of military action near the Kursk nuclear power plant.
On the IAEA website published Statement by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi:
“In light of the reports of significant military activity, I would like to remind all parties of the seven essential pillars of nuclear safety and security during armed conflict. I highlight the five specific safety principles that were established for the Zaporizhzhya NPP in the context of the current conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine and which are equally applicable in this situation. They include, among other things, the imperative of ensuring the physical integrity of the nuclear power plant. This is true regardless of where the NPP is located.”
According to the agency, the Kursk NPP has six power units with two different types of reactors: RBMK-1000 and VVER-510. Two of the RBMK-1000 are in a state of shutdown, and two are in full operation. Two VVER-510 power units are under construction.
Grossi called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint “to avoid a nuclear accident with potentially serious radiological consequences.” He said he was in personal contact with the relevant authorities in both countries.
On August 9, it became known that the Russian Federation was preparing to defend the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant due to the approach of some groups of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. On the morning of August 9, the Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement on the situation in the Kursk region, where it acknowledged that Ukrainian forces were in the vicinity of Sudzha. Igor Korpunkov, the mayor of the Russian city of Kurchatov, where the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant is located, reported that military action was already underway several dozen kilometers from the city's borders, but called on residents not to panic.
Meanwhile, today telegram channels report:
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have advanced and, judging by the alarming reports of Russian war correspondents, significantly. + Plekhovo, Martynovo. They also entered the settlement of Poroz in the Belgorod region.
After attacks UAV at a substation in Oktyabrsky district of Kursk region Kurchatovsky, Oktyabrsky, Bolshesoldatsky, Oboyansky, Belovsky districts of Kursk region and the city of Kurchatov itself along with the Kursk NPP were left without power supply.
The Russian authorities are introducing a counter-terrorist operation regime in the Kursk, Bryansk and Belgorod regions “in connection with the increase in the level of sabotage and terrorist threats.”
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have a serious advantage in the Kursk region, says military expert Sergei Migdal: “The Ukrainians managed to create a concentration of large forces in a wooded area in a fairly secretive manner, over a long period of time, in small units. The Ukrainian Armed Forces had the advantage of being the attacking side. Apart from those places where active military operations are taking place (in Donbass), the Russian forces are comparatively small.”
It is difficult for the Russians to quickly send reinforcements: “In order to transfer more and more brigades there, it is necessary to expose the sections of the front where the main task is set – the complete capture of the Donetsk region. That is why we see FSB special forces appearing, and Wagnerites being urgently pulled out of Africa. And this takes time.”
The military situation is alarming for Kursk itself: “According to some estimates, more than 400 square kilometers are already under the fire control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Ukrainian Armed Forces control at least a dozen populated areas. If we are talking about multiple launch rocket systems, especially various types of drones, then there is no problem for them to fly to Kursk and Kurchatov. Russian media reports on the interception of dozens of UAVs.”
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