Putin Accuses Ukraine of Striking Kursk Nuclear Plant; IAEA Notified

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of attempting to strike the Kursk nuclear power plant. Acting Kursk Governor Alexei Smirnov confirmed the plant's stability. The International Atomic Energy Agency has been alerted. The largest incursion into Russia since WWII saw intense fighting within 30 km of the plant.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday accused Ukraine of attempting to strike Russia's Kursk nuclear power plant during an overnight attack. Moscow has since informed the U.N.'s nuclear safety watchdog about the incident, though no documentary evidence was provided and there was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Acting Kursk Governor Alexei Smirnov assured Putin that the situation at the plant, which hosts four Soviet RBMK-1000 reactors, remains 'stable.' Despite this, fierce fighting continues around 30 kilometers from the nuclear plant as Russian troops attempt to repel Ukrainian forces following their major incursion into Russian territory on August 6.

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, called for maximum restraint to prevent a nuclear accident. Two reactors are currently operational while the other two are shut down. Construction on new reactors began in 2018 but they are not yet functional.

(With inputs from agencies.)