Tensions Rise as Kursk Nuclear Power Plant Faces Threats from Conflict Nearby, IAEA Director States

A nuclear plant in western Russia is facing heightened risks amid ongoing conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces, according to Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Following a recent visit to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, Grossi highlighted the facility’s lack of a protective dome, making it vulnerable to potential missile, drone, or artillery strikes. The plant operates RBMK-type reactors, similar to the one involved in the Chernobyl disaster, and is only shielded by a conventional roof, increasing its exposure to threats.

Grossi emphasized the grave implications of any impact on the reactor core, stating that, unlike modern nuclear facilities designed to withstand significant impacts, the Kursk design lacks adequate protection.

As tensions escalate, Grossi urged that nuclear power plants must never be targets in conflicts. Despite ongoing concerns, local residents expressed confidence in Russia’s defenses, believing that the military can protect them from potential attacks. As the situation develops, attention shifts from Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant to Kursk, where recent military activity has occurred within 40 kilometers of the site.