As the clash between Russia and Ukraine intensifies, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has issued a stern warning about the growing threat of a nuclear crisis in Russia’s Kursk region. Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), called for “maximum restraint” from both sides in the face of what could simply be a catastrophic nuclear accident.
On Friday, Russia announced the deployment of more troops and military hardware to the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have launched a rare and competitive ground attack. The incursion represents one of the most significant escalations in the war, which has largely been confined to Ukrainian territory for more than two years. The scenario has raised concern abroad, with the possibility of serious radiological consequences if the confrontation spreads to the area around the Kursk nuclear power plant.
“I would like to ask all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid a reversal of nuclear fate that could have serious radiological consequences,” Grossi said in a statement released through the IAEA. He was under pressure because the company was intensely following reports of military activities near the nuclear facility and was in constant communication with the relevant governments in Russia and Ukraine.
The Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, one of the largest nuclear power plants in Russia, operates six reactors, two of which are currently closed, while two others are under construction. The remaining two are fully operational. The proximity of the fighting to such critical infrastructure has increased considerations about plant safety and security.
Grossi’s caution comes amid reports that missile fragments, in all likelihood from downed Ukrainian drones, have been found near the Kursk factory. Although there is no evidence that the facility itself was directly targeted, the discovery further fueled fears of an accidental nuclear incident.
In reaction to the Ukrainian offensive, Russia implemented radical anti-terrorist measures in the Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod regions. The measures, announced Saturday through Moscow’s anti-terrorism committee, give sweeping powers to security services, adding the ability to relocate residents, communications and impose curfews. Russia’s state-owned nuclear power company, Rosatom, said the Kursk plant was operating normally despite military activity in the vicinity.
The clash has already claimed many victims and led to heavy fighting in the Kursk region. According to the American Institute for the Study of War, Ukrainian troops have pushed up to 35 kilometers (21 miles) into Russian territory. However, reports recommend that they are not yet complete of the domain and that the scenario remains fluid.
The Ukrainian incursion into Kursk marks a significant shift in the dynamics of the war. So far, the operations of Ukraine’s army have mainly focused on protecting its own territory. This new offensive, deep on Russian soil, appears to be an attempt to gain leverage in long-term negotiations and demonstrate Ukraine’s continued military capability despite a protracted conflict.
The foreign reaction to this escalation was swift. The United States, Ukraine’s key best friend, announced another $125 million in military aid on Friday. The package includes Stinger missiles, HIMARS, anti-tank guns and other devices considered important for the defense of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude to President Joe Biden and the American people, emphasizing the importance of the United States continuing to fight against Russian aggression.
In similar news, Grossi also issued a warning on Thursday regarding the vulnerability of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine. Fires near the ZNPP have threatened the reliability of its external power supply, which is essential to maintain nuclear protection, even as the reactors have been in a bloodless shutdown lately. “The reliability of off-site forces remains a primary threat to the nuclear safety and security of the ZNPP, and steps will need to be taken to protect those remaining lines,” Grossi said.
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