A Ukrainian drone strike has caused damage at the Kursk nuclear power plant in Russia, resulting in a fire that was swiftly extinguished without any casualties.
Russian officials have confirmed the incident, stating that the drone attack targeted the facility and caused a fire. They reported that air defense forces intercepted a Ukrainian UAV, which detonated on impact near the Kursk NPP, damaging an auxiliary transformer and triggering the fire. The fire was later extinguished, and radiation levels in the area remained unchanged, according to the NPP’s official statement.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has acknowledged the incident, stating that it is aware of media reports about a fire at the Kurs, but has not independently confirmed the details. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized the importance of protecting nuclear facilities at all times, noting that the fire was caused by military activity.
The Kursk nuclear facility has been under threat due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, particularly following a significant Ukrainian military invasion in the region in August 2024. Russian officials claimed that Ukrainian troops had been expelled from the Kursk Region following a months-long counteroffensive. However, they warned that if Ukrainian forces had succeeded in seizing the site, it could have resulted in a nuclear accident comparable to the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.
Recent months have seen the Kursk NPP subjected to several Ukrainian strikes. These attacks have raised concerns about the safety and security of nuclear facilities in conflict zones. While no casualties were reported from the latest incident, the NPP had to reduce the load on one of its three operational units by 50%, according to Russian officials.