Ukraine Dismisses Russian Claims of Attack on Kursk Nuclear Power Plant

On October 4, Russian media outlets reported that a fire broke out near the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in the city of Kurchatov as the result of Ukraine’s attempt to strike the power plant. The claims were dismissed by Ukraine.

The propaganda outlet Mash asserts that Russian air defense intercepted a "French aerial bomb," which reportedly fell about 5 kilometers from the plant, igniting the fire.

The publication Shot mentioned four attempted strikes. Additionally, Russian media speculates that a Ukrainian rocket drone named "Palyanytsia" may have been directed toward Kurchatov.

Meanwhile, officials at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant have assured that the facility is operating normally.

Andrii Kovalеnko, head of the Center for Counteracting Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, emphasized that Russian media are spreading "false information" about an alleged strike on the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant.

"Of course, no one attacked the power plant; there’s no rationale for that. The Russians are showing footage of a fire in Kurchatov and a ground explosion. What does that have to do with an attack on the nuclear power plant? It’s far away," Kovalенко explained.

Alexei Smirnov, the governor of Kursk, also refuted claims linking the explosions to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. He stated that a Ukrainian drone was allegedly shot down near Kurchatov, and the explosions occurred in a utility building as a result of its fall.

Ukraine vowed to conduct its operation in Kursk according to international laws and customs of war. Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, stated during a press conference on August 13: “The Ukrainian Armed Forces are a civilized European military force that fully adheres to the laws and customs of warfare and international humanitarian law. The goal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is solely military targets and military contingents.”