Top Official Set for Critical Review at Russian Nuclear Facility

UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi is set to inspect Russia’s Kursk nuclear plant next week amid rising security concerns following recent Ukrainian military incursions in the region.

At a Glance

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi will visit Russia’s Kursk nuclear power plant next week
The visit comes after Ukraine’s surprise counteroffensive in the region
Kursk NPP has six units, with two operational and two under construction
The IAEA has warned about nuclear plant risks since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Grossi aims to assess the plant’s safety and security measures

Planned Visit to Kursk Nuclear Power Plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that its Director General, Rafael Grossi, will visit Russia’s Kursk nuclear power plant next week. This visit comes in the wake of recent Ukrainian military activities in the region, raising concerns about the safety and security of nuclear facilities in conflict zones.

The Kursk nuclear power plant, located within artillery range of Ukrainian military positions, houses six units. Two of these units are currently operational, two are under construction, and two have been shut down. The reactor at Kursk NPP is similar in design to the one involved in the Chernobyl disaster, with an exposed reactor core, adding to the urgency of this inspection.

IAEA chief to visit Kursk nuclear plant due to Ukraine incursion https://t.co/WsbHDUjQ7j

— FT World News (@ftworldnews) August 21, 2024

Security Concerns and IAEA’s Role

The IAEA has consistently warned about the risks to nuclear plants posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine since February 2022. On August 9, the agency urged both Russia and Ukraine to exercise “maximum restraint” to avoid potential nuclear accidents with serious radiological consequences.

“We can confirm (it’s planned for) next week,” an IAEA spokesperson stated, highlighting the importance of this upcoming visit.

Grossi’s mission is to scrutinize the plant for any potential hazards, verify its operations against global compliance standards, and engage in diplomatic efforts to avert potential nuclear crises. The IAEA chief is “personally in contact with the relevant authorities of both countries” and will “continue to update the international community as appropriate.”

Broader Context of Nuclear Safety in the Region

The visit to Kursk NPP is part of a larger effort to ensure nuclear safety in the region. The safety situation at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which was seized by Russian forces early in the war, has been described as “deteriorating” following a nearby drone strike. Both sides have blamed each other for attacks on the facility.

“Security at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains fragile amid worrying recent staff cuts enacted by Russian authorities occupying the facility, which is one of the 10 biggest atomic power plants in the world,” Grossi stated. “This huge facility used to have around 12,000 staff. Now, this has been reduced to between 2,000 and 3,000, which is quite a steep reduction in the number of people working there.”

As the conflict continues, the international community remains vigilant about the potential risks to nuclear facilities. Grossi’s upcoming visit to the Kursk nuclear power plant represents a crucial step in maintaining global nuclear safety standards and preventing potential catastrophes in an increasingly volatile region.