Russia Intercepts Drone Near Kursk; No Damage to Nuclear Plant, Says Governor

Moscow – Russian forces intercepted a Ukrainian drone on Thursday near the town of Kurchatov, with no reported damage to the nearby Kursk nuclear power plant, according to the regional governor.

Governor Alexei Smirnov indicated that debris from the drone triggered explosions in a separate building not related to the plant. Several Russian Telegram channels claimed that the Ukrainian attack was intercepted by air defenses, leading to a fire a few miles away from the nuclear facility.

The plant’s operator confirmed that operations were normal and radiation levels were within safe limits. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi denied any claims that Ukraine initiated attacks targeting or occurring near the plant.

Independent verification of these reports was not possible at this time.

In related developments, Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion into the Kursk region on August 6 and continue to engage in the area despite Russian military efforts to drive them out. Rafael Grossi, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, expressed concerns during a visit to the plant on August 27, highlighting the facility’s vulnerability to potential accidents due to the absence of a protective dome to shield it from aerial threats.