Moscow, 27 August 2024 (dpa/MIA) - The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has warned of the dangers facing the Russian nuclear reactor in Kursk, in an area which is near intense fighting that erupted when Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion into Russian territory three weeks ago.

The power plant near the town of Kurchatov is a working nuclear site, Grossi pointed out in a statement broadcast by Russian state television after his visit to the facility on Tuesday.

"And attacks can end dangerously," Grossi added, according to a Russian translation. Fighting in the area was a cause for serious concern, he cautioned.

Grossi warned of the danger of a nuclear incident in the event of fighting directly at the nuclear power plant. The reactors have no protective casing, which makes them particularly susceptible to damage in the event of a drone attack or artillery fire.

However, operations have been running almost normally so far, Grossi added. He had visited the most important buildings, including the reactor and machine halls, the control unit and the spent fuel storage facility.

The IAEA chief once again demanded that the rules for nuclear safety must be observed. He emphasised that nuclear power plants should not be used as targets of war.

Grossi said he will now travel to Kiev to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

They will discuss the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which is occupied by Russian troops, and other nuclear facilities in the country. IAEA experts are deployed at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant south-eastern Ukraine.

Photo: EPA