Ukraine denies role in alleged Kursk nuclear plant attack
Russian media claim that the Armed Forces of Ukraine attempted to shell the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. The pro-Russian channel Mash reports that four missiles and a drone were shot down. A fire reportedly broke out near the power plant. Rosenergoatom assures that the station operates normally, and the radiation levels are within the norm. Kyiv dismisses these accusations as lies.
Many pieces of information provided by Russian media or government representatives are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the Russian Federation's information war.
Reports of explosions in Kurchatov in Russia started around 3:20 PM Greenwich Time. The pro-Russian channel Mash claims that the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched four missiles and a drone towards the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. All targets were allegedly shot down over Kurchatov.
"Radiation levels are normal"
Several explosions occurred in the city, and a strong fire broke out about five kilometres from the nuclear power plant.
Rosenergoatom, the company responsible for running the plant, confirms that after reports of an incident near the facility, the unit is functioning as expected. They also note that radiation levels remain within normal range.
Immediate reaction from Kyiv
The Ukrainian Centre for Counteracting Disinformation immediately stated these reports, in which it characterised the Russian claims of an attack on the Kursk nuclear power plant as false.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the UCFD, stated that targeting the nuclear power plant would be illogical, emphasizing that there has been no strike on it. He explained that the Russians are displaying some activity in Kurchatov, with recordings showing an explosion on the ground. He questioned the reasoning behind shelling a nuclear power plant.
