The Director of the IAEA is heading to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant due to “serious concerns about the fighting.”

Rafael Grossi plans to visit next week. He clarified that the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant is “technically within artillery range” from Ukrainian positions. “And since there is fighting ongoing there, I am very concerned.”

According to Grossi, the proximity of the facility to the combat zone raises “particular concern” because the two nuclear reactors at the Kursk plant, which are fully operational today, have a similar design to the reactors at Chernobyl.

Last week, Russia accused Ukraine of preparing an attack on the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. Ukraine denied the accusations. “Ukraine has neither the intention nor the capability to undertake such actions. Russia must stop spreading dangerous lies,” Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Georgiy Tykhyy said.

Meanwhile, Putin accused Ukraine of attempting to strike the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant on the night of August 22.

He made this statement during a meeting with governors of Russian regions bordering Ukraine, according to RIA Novosti. He also “expressed hope that the IAEA would send experts to assess the situation at the plant.”

Tags: IAEA kursk kursk region Russia russia ukraine war