Kursk Nuclear Warning Issued by UN

Rafael Grossi, head of the United Nations‘ nuclear watchdog agency, advised Russia and Ukraine to use “maximum restraint” to “avoid a nuclear accident” as fighting intensifies in Russia’s Kursk region.

On Friday, Russia said it is bringing more troops and weapons into Kursk where Ukrainian forces have launched a rare ground assault in Russian territory.

Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has warned of a nuclear accident if fighting around the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) continues.

“At this juncture, I would like to appeal to all sides to exercise maximum restraint in order to avoid a nuclear accident with the potential for serious radiological consequences,” Grossi said in a statement released by the IAEA on Friday.

Grossi said the IAEA has been monitoring reports of military activities by Russia and Ukraine near the nuclear plant.

“I am personally in contact with the relevant authorities of both countries and will continue to be seized of the matter,” the IAEA leader said. “I will continue to update the international community as appropriate.”

The Kursk NPP has six units of reactors. Two units are shut down, two are under construction and two are fully operational.

Meanwhile, Grossi issued a warning on Thursday about several fires near the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine.

“The off-site power supply to the ZNPP remains vulnerable, and any threat to the operability of the last two power lines is extremely concerning,” Grossi said in a statement released by the IAEA. “Despite all reactors remaining in a cold shutdown state, the reliability of off-site power is still a major risk to nuclear safety and security at the ZNPP and action must be taken to protect these remaining lines.”

Newsweek reached out to the Russian government and Ukraine’s foreign affairs ministry via email for comment on Saturday morning.

Ukraine took Russia by surprise when it launched a ground assault into the country on Tuesday. Until then, the over two-year war has mostly been fought in Ukrainian territory.

The U.S. continues to remain a strong ally of Ukraine in its war with Russia. On Friday, the White House announced that the U.S. is sending an additional $125 million in weapons to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked President Joe Biden, Congress and “the American people” for the new aid in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday.

“This package’s Stinger, HIMARS, and various anti-tank missiles, as well as 155 mm ammunition and other equipment are vital for our forces to counter Russian assaults,” Zelensky wrote. “It is critical that the United States continues to take strong steps and demonstrate leadership in protecting Ukrainian freedom and European stability. We appreciate the United States’ support from the very first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, which has already allowed us to save many lives together.”