Russian power plant insecure, nuclear watchdog warns

The International Atomic Energy Agency on Tuesday raised safety concerns for the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in western Russia as Ukrainian forces continue pressing into the region. Agency head Rafael Grossi warned that the nuclear facility does not have a containment dome and protective structure, which are now commonplace at modern nuclear power stations. A normal roof is all that protects the reactor’s nuclear core, leaving it very exposed and fragile to artillery impact or a drone or a missile, Grossi told reporters Tuesday. He chose to personally visit the facility, calling the situation very serious.

Ukrainian forces broke across Russia’s western border in early August and Russia has yet to expel them. The plant is operating normally but military activity mere miles away requires immediate attention to the facility’s safety, he added. Grossi also noted that Kursk’s nuclear facility is the same model as the Ukrainian Chernobyl nuclear plant that melted down in 1986.

Could Kursk be the next Chernobyl? Grossi clarified that Chernobyl and Kursk are not exactly the same, but very similar. It’s the same type of reactor with no specific protection, so if the core is impacted the consequences could be extremely serious, he said.

Dig deeper: Read Josh Schumacher’s report on the attack that prompted Grossi’s visit.