A fire broke out at a nuclear power plant in Kursk, Russia, after a Ukrainian drone was shot down, causing damage to a transformer unit. The plant reduced its capacity to 50% during the incident, but no injuries were reported. Radiation levels remain unchanged, posing no threat, according to the plant. The incident highlights ongoing tensions and risks near nuclear facilities amid the conflict.
Fire Erupts at Russian Nuclear Plant in Kursk After Drone Incident
Fire Erupts at Russian Nuclear Plant in Kursk
A fire broke out at a nuclear power plant in the Russian region of Kursk after a drone was shot down.
Russia shot down a Ukrainian drone near a nuclear power plant outside the city of Kursk overnight on Sunday, reports Reuters.
"The drone detonated upon impact, resulting in damage to a transformer unit," Kursk's nuclear power plant stated on Telegram.
The fire has now been extinguished, but the facility was forced to reduce its capacity to 50% during the rescue operation. No injuries were reported.
A Response to Moscow's Warfare
Radiation levels are reported to be unchanged and pose no danger, according to the nuclear power plant itself. However, the UN's nuclear agency IAEA has repeatedly warned of the risks of fighting near nuclear facilities since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, writes AFP.
Ukraine has not commented on the incident. Kiev has previously stated that attacks on targets inside Russia are a response to Moscow's warfare, aiming to destroy infrastructure crucial to the Russian defense.
The facility is located about 40 kilometers west of Kursk, near the Ukrainian border.