IAEA Director General Warns of Danger of Fighting Near Russian Nuclear Power Plant

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, warned during a visit to the Russian Kursk nuclear power plant that its proximity to the battle zones between Russian and Ukrainian forces is "extremely dangerous." Grossi stated that his visit to the area allowed him to "inspect the most important parts" of the plant located less than 50 kilometers from the battles that have erupted in the region since the Ukrainian cross-border operation. He said after visiting it that "a nuclear power plant of this type that is close to a point of contact or a military front is extremely dangerous." He added, "The presence of military operations a few kilometers away from here makes it a direct focus." He stressed that he is in close contact with the Russian authorities and will visit Kiev next week to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stressing the importance of continuing the dialogue. The IAEA has repeatedly warned of the danger of fighting around nuclear plants after Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. It urged both Russia and Ukraine to exercise "maximum restraint to avoid a nuclear accident that could have serious radiological consequences." Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of attempting to launch an attack on the Kursk plant, where fragments of a drone were found near the plant's spent nuclear fuel storage facility. The plant is located about 60 km from the Russian-Ukrainian border, near the Seim River, and less than 50 km from the city of Kursk. Source: National Iraqi News Agency