International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi called on both Kyiv and Moscow to "exercise maximum restraint" in order to avoid a nuclear accident as fighting is reportedly ongoing in the region around the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP).
In a statement issued by the IAEA on Aug. 9, Grossi said that a nuclear accident at the KNPP would have "the potential for serious radiological consequences."
Grossi noted that two of the six nuclear reactors at the KNPP are in shutdown, while another two are fully operational. The remaining two reactors are under construction.
The statement comes as Ukraine's continues its surprise incursion across the border into Kursk Oblast, with Ukraine reportedly making gains deeper into Russian territory.
Earlier in the day on Aug. 9, a fire caused by an alleged drone attack on a power substation led to power outages in several areas of Kurchatov which houses the KNPP, regional Governor Alexei Smirnov claimed.
On Aug. 8, Kurchatov's mayor, Igor Korpunkov, claimed that battles are ongoing "a few dozen kilometers" from the town.
Independent Russian news outlet IStories reported on Aug. 9 that Russia is currently preparing to defend the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant as Ukrainian troops are approaching it.
The entrances to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant were blocked as of the afternoon of Aug. 9, the pro-government regional newspaper network Bloknot claimed, citing its undisclosed sources.
Everything at the nuclear power plant's units under construction has been de-energized, and construction workers have left the site, Bloknot claimed.
The Kyiv Independent cannot verify the claims.
"I emphasize the five concrete principles to help to ensure nuclear safety and security which have been established for the Zaporizhzhia NPP in the context of the current conflict between (Russia) and Ukraine, and which are equally applicable in this situation," Grossi added.
Kyiv has so far maintained a policy of silence on the incursion, but President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug. 8 that "Russia brought war to our land, and it should feel what it has done." He did not directly mention the incursion into Kursk Oblast.
The town of Kurchatov is located some 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Ukraine's Sumy Oblast.
Kursk Oblast lies on the border with Ukraine's Sumy Oblast, which has been experiencing daily attacks since Russian troops were pushed out of the oblast and back across the border in April 2022.
Earlier on Aug. 9, Russian authorities introduced a so-called "counter-terrorism operation" in bordering Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod oblasts in response to Ukraine's incursion into the region.
Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry also said on Aug. 9 that the situation in Kursk Oblast had been declared a "federal emergency," and began sending additional military equipment into the region.
Kateryna Hodunova
