On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin raised alarms about potential nuclear risks following alleged Ukrainian attempts to strike the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in the border region of Kursk, Russia.
Putin claimed that Ukrainian forces have been targeting the plant since initiating operations in the area on August 6. The day after these claims, a law enforcement source shared with state media that there was an “attempted attack” on the facility.
During his remarks at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin characterized these alleged actions as “very dangerous terrorist attacks,” warning of the potential consequences for Europe if Russia retaliates. “Just imagine the fallout,” he said.
The Kursk Nuclear Power Plant is situated about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Kursk city and around 110 kilometers (68 miles) from the Ukrainian border. According to the BBC, Russia seems to be enhancing defenses around the site.
Some Russian military observers, including journalist Alexander Sladkov, initially claimed that Ukrainian forces aimed to seize control of the nuclear plant. However, there’s no solid evidence supporting this notion. Rafael Grossi, chief of the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), recently cautioned after visiting the site that “there is now a danger of a nuclear incident here.”
In a related update, Alexei Likhachev, head of Russia’s atomic energy agency Rosatom, noted at the Eastern Economic Forum that while closing the nuclear plant is under consideration, no decision has yet been made. He emphasized the plant’s critical role in the region’s energy supply, stating, “For now, we believe that the security measures taken are sufficient.”
The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a London-based think tank, released an analysis on August 30 highlighting how Russia appears to be exploiting nuclear safety fears. They asserted that unverified claims about impending attacks on the Kursk plant are being used for political leverage in the ongoing conflict.
RUSI researcher Darya Dolzikova stated, “The Russian narrative seems to be another attempt by Moscow to manipulate fears of nuclear accidents for strategic benefits against Ukraine.” She noted that, as it stands, Ukraine has minimal incentive to threaten the safety of the facility.