Nuclear agency chief warns of risks at Russia’s Kursk plant
IAEA's Grossi highlights vulnerabilities at Russia's Kursk plant
Rafael Grossi, chief of the U.N. nuclear agency, highlighted the serious situation around Russia’s Kursk nuclear power plant in an interview published on Tuesday. Ukrainian forces, who crossed into Russia’s southern Kursk region last month, are currently about 40 km from the plant.
Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), expressed concern over the proximity of military activities to the nuclear facility. He noted that the Kursk plant, which consists of four reactors, lacks a containment dome, making it highly vulnerable to attacks.
During his visit to the Kursk plant last month, Grossi assessed the potential risks. He expressed hope that the situation would stabilise, eliminating the need for further visits to the site. He made these remarks to Russia’s RIA news agency in New York, prior to the U.N. General Assembly debates.
Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant is at risk of a potential nuclear incident – Rafael Grossi
Details: https://t.co/44lQhp4IP8 pic.twitter.com/g2ZNcHPEU3
— RT (@RT_com) August 28, 2024
The IAEA, according to Grossi, does not plan to station permanent observers at the Kursk plant. This approach contrasts with the situation in Ukraine, where the IAEA has permanent missions at four nuclear plants, including the Zaporizhzhia station, which Russian forces seized early in their February 2022 invasion.
Grossi described the situation at Zaporizhzhia as tense, with both sides regularly accusing each other of planning attacks on the facility. His experts continue to report military activities near the station. Since the invasion, Grossi has visited Zaporizhzhia five times, urging restraint from both sides to prevent any nuclear incidents.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Kyiv Independent reports on International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi’s warning about safety risks at the Kursk nuclear power plant due to its vulnerable reactor design and proximity to conflict zones. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What is the current situation at Russia’s Kursk nuclear power plant?
The situation remains serious due to nearby military activity, but no permanent IAEA mission is planned.
How close are Ukrainian troops to the Kursk nuclear power plant?
Ukrainian troops are about 40 km away from the Kursk nuclear power plant.
Why is the Kursk nuclear plant considered vulnerable?
The Kursk plant is extremely exposed if attacked as it lacks a containment dome.
Does the IAEA plan to permanently station observers at the Kursk plant?
No, the IAEA has no plans to station observers permanently at the Kursk plant.
What is the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant?
The situation remains tense with ongoing military action near the station.
