Increased surveillance of Kursk power plant amid Ukrainian offensive

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is monitoring the Kursk nuclear power plant as Ukraine steps up its offensive in the Russian border region.

Share:

The IAEA, headed by Rafael Grossi, is stepping up its inspections of the Kursk nuclear power plant near the Ukrainian border.
The Ukrainian offensive, which began on August 6, 2024, is getting dangerously close to this strategic facility.
Nuclear safety risks are of concern to the international community, as Ukrainian drone fragments are found in the vicinity of the plant.
These developments are forcing the IAEA to maintain heightened vigilance in assessing potential risks.
The Kursk plant, with its RBMK reactors similar to those at Chernobyl, is at the heart of the concerns. Nuclear safety experts stress the need to protect this infrastructure, while minimizing the risk of a catastrophe.
The IAEA is calling for maximum restraint on all sides to prevent any incident with potentially serious consequences.

Strategic and security implications

Due to its geographical position, the Kursk region is of strategic importance for both Ukrainian and Russian forces.
For Ukraine, the aim is to create a buffer zone, limiting Russia’s ability to conduct military operations on its territory.
On the Russian side, the protection of critical infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants, is a priority.
Nuclear security is therefore becoming a major issue, requiring enhanced international coordination.
Experts point out that, despite improvements in reactor safety since Chernobyl, the threat of a nuclear incident cannot be totally ruled out.
Spent fuel storage facilities, in particular, represent potential targets in the event of an escalation of the conflict.
The IAEA, as an independent authority, plays a key role in monitoring and assessing risks in this complex situation.

Impact on energy security

The situation at Kursk also raises questions about energy security in wartime.
Protecting nuclear power plants is essential to avoid disruptions to energy supplies, which could have far-reaching repercussions.
Current events demonstrate the fragility of critical infrastructures in the face of armed conflict, underlining the need for robust strategies to guarantee their security.
The IAEA’s actions are aimed at averting a major energy crisis, while maintaining regional stability.
The Ukrainian and Russian authorities are aware of the risks associated with any attack on nuclear facilities, but the dynamics of the conflict demand continued vigilance.
The assessment underway at Kursk is therefore crucial to prevent any deterioration in the situation.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has identified no major barriers to licensing the ARC-100 reactor, announces ARC Clean Technology.
SE Ignalina, the Lithuanian nuclear operator, has signed a memorandum of understanding with French firm Newcleo to explore the integration of small modular reactors (SMRs) using lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) technology in Lithuania.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi oversaw the signing of new agreements for the construction of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant, thus strengthening the strategic cooperation between Egypt and Russia.
Vistra Corp receives green light to extend Perry nuclear plant operations in Ohio by 20 years, securing regional electricity supply until 2046 and ensuring operational continuity for all its nuclear reactors in the United States.
EDF will hold a 12.5% stake in the Sizewell C nuclear project in the UK, a €1.3 billion investment announced during Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to London, confirming the strategic nuclear energy alignment between the two countries.
The French Cigéo project, designed to bury the most hazardous radioactive waste deep underground, obtains a crucial technical validation before its final authorization, expected by the end of 2027.
EDF confirms the continuation of its industrial project in Fessenheim for recycling very low-level radioactive metals, a first in France requiring specific regulatory authorizations, following a public debate concluded last February.
NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. formalizes its collaboration with UrAmerica Ltd. to strengthen Argentina’s uranium supply, aiming to secure future nuclear fuel supply chains for the U.S. market.
American companies SHINE Technologies and Standard Nuclear partner to recycle uranium and plutonium, supplying advanced fuel to the nuclear reactor sector and enhancing the national energy security of the United States.
The American Bureau of Shipping and two nuclear sector companies are studying the potential deployment of floating nuclear power plants to meet the energy needs of island and coastal regions in the Mediterranean, notably via electricity and desalination.
Lithuania establishes a working group tasked with assessing the feasibility of modular nuclear reactors to meet electricity demand estimated at 74 TWh by 2050.
Framatome has secured two significant contracts from Electrabel covering modernisation and technical support for the Tihange 3 and Doel 4 nuclear reactors, as part of their extension agreed upon between Engie and the Belgian government.
Cairo is stepping up connection works for the planned 4,800 MW El-Dabaa nuclear plant, developed with Rosatom, to feed the grid from 2026 with output equal to about seven % of national electricity.
GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Fortum announce partnership aimed at preparing for the potential deployment of small modular reactors in Finland and Sweden, with commissioning scheduled for the 2030s.
Energy Fuels Inc. announced record production of 638,700 pounds of uranium during the second quarter of 2025 at its Pinyon Plain mine in Arizona, significantly surpassing initial site performance forecasts.
Argentina and Peru have signed an agreement expanding their scientific and technological cooperation in the civil nuclear field, including joint research projects and specialised training programmes for future development.
After several decades without funding nuclear projects, the World Bank has formed a strategic partnership with the IAEA to provide technical and financial support to countries integrating nuclear energy into their energy strategies.
South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission officially validates the decommissioning of reactor number one at the Kori plant, initiating an unprecedented project for the national industry scheduled to last until 2037.
Uranium producer enCore Energy surpasses three thousand pounds per day at its Alta Mesa ISR complex and sees three new Texas laws as a strong signal for faster nuclear production permits.
The International Atomic Energy Agency expresses concerns over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles following the abrupt suspension of inspections at key sites disrupted by recent attacks whose consequences remain uncertain.