The Russian Ministry of Defense has reported that a kamikaze drone was discovered near the spent nuclear fuel storage facility at the Kurchatov Nuclear Power Plant. According to the Russian source, on the night of August 22, 2024, “the regime in Kyiv attempted to commit an act of nuclear terrorism” using a kamikaze drone at the Kurchatov facility in Kursk Oblast. The drone was intercepted by Russian radio-electronic warfare systems.
Russian soldiers utilized radio-electronic warfare to shoot down the Ukrainian drone, according to Moscow. “The Kyiv regime made an attempt to attack the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in Kurchatov with a kamikaze drone, aiming to commit an act of nuclear terrorism. Law enforcement agencies reported that the drone was downed near the nuclear plant,” TASS, a Russian news agency, stated, also releasing a photograph of the drone. TASS says that the drone is marked “Army of Drones” – this is a joint project of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense and other departments of Ukraine, created to develop UAVs and provide the Armed Forces of Ukraine with them.
The images indicate that the drone is an FPV model with explosives attached. At least three “sticks of plasticine,” likely equivalent to TNT, are fastened with colorless and black tape. The drone appears undamaged by any munition impact in the photos, which were taken from a close perspective. Although the exact size of the drone is hard to determine, the surrounding grass and sparse natural environment suggest it is small. BulgarianMilitary.com has not independently verified the claims of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The IAEA
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of attempting to attack the Kursk nuclear power station on Thursday. This facility is located about 50 kilometers [30 miles] from where Kyiv’s military forces are actively engaged in a significant cross-border offensive. Meanwhile, Moscow reported progress in eastern Ukraine and accused Kyiv of attacking and sinking a cargo ship docked at a port near the annexed Crimean peninsula.
“The enemy tried to strike the nuclear power plant at night. The International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] has been informed,” Putin stated during a televised government meeting.
The IAEA responded with a statement, revealing that Moscow had reported finding drone fragments roughly 100 meters from the Kursk plant’s spent fuel nuclear storage facility. The nuclear watchdog announced that its chief would visit the facility next week. Russia had been consistently warning about a potential strike since Ukrainian troops and tanks entered its western Kursk region on August 6.
The invasion of Kursk is delayed
The momentum of Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region has decelerated, encountering more resistance from well-prepared Russian units. Russian commanders are now allocating positions and deciding points of resistance, adding layers of complexity and bureaucracy to what the Institute for the Study of War [ISW] describes as an already inefficient command and control structure.
Despite the Ukrainian advances, Russia appears unhurried in its response, suggesting that the standoff in the Kursk region could be protracted, according to analysts cited by The Moscow Times.
Ukrainian forces are broadening their zone of control rather than attempting deeper incursions into Russian territory. Mick Ryan, a retired Australian Army major general and military analyst at the Lowy Institute in Sydney and the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., mentioned to The Wall Street Journal, “They are holding territory that’s easier to defend, closer to Ukraine, and easier to supply.”
Russia is waiting
Ukrainian armed forces can surround the Russian group by blowing up bridges across the Seym River and preventing the creation of pontoon crossings. This would let them secure the borderlands it defends.
Ukraine calls this move necessary to create a buffer zone to protect the Sumy region from Russian shelling and attacks. However, it would require additional troops, potentially weakening defenses in the Donetsk region, where the Russian army is actively pushing back the Ukrainian forces.
As a result, Russia appears to be massing forces in the Kursk region, shifting reserves and personnel from less intense front lines, such as Kharkiv and the southern regions. According to Ryan, “It’s logical for Russia to monitor how the situation unfolds and to allocate sufficient troops to hinder the Ukrainian advance.”
The Kurchatov NPP
The Kurchatov Nuclear Power Plant [NPP] is a significant facility in Russia’s nuclear energy sector. Named after Igor Kurchatov, a prominent Soviet nuclear physicist, the plant plays a crucial role in the country’s energy infrastructure. Located in the town of Kurchatov in the Kursk Oblast, the Kurchatov NPP is part of the larger Kursk Nuclear Power Plant complex. This facility is one of the many nuclear power plants in Russia that contribute to the nation’s electricity supply.
The Kurchatov NPP utilizes RBMK reactors, which are a type of graphite-moderated nuclear power reactor. These reactors are similar to the ones used at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, although they have undergone various safety upgrades over the years. The plant’s significance extends beyond energy production; it is also involved in research and development activities related to nuclear technology. This makes it an important site for scientific advancements in the field of nuclear energy.
Given its strategic importance, the Kurchatov NPP is subject to stringent safety and security measures. These measures are designed to prevent accidents and ensure the safe operation of the facility, reflecting lessons learned from past nuclear incidents.
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On February 21, 2022, Russia stated that its border facility was attacked by Ukrainian forces, resulting in the deaths of five Ukrainian fighters. However, Ukraine quickly dismissed these allegations, labeling them as ‘false flags’.
In a notable move on the same day, Russia announced it officially recognized the self-proclaimed areas of DPR and LPR. Interestingly, according to Russian President Putin, this recognition covered all the Ukrainian regions. Following this declaration, Putin sent a battalion of Russia’s military forces, tanks included, into these areas.
Fast forward to February 24, 2022, global headlines were dominated by a significant incident. Putin commanded a forceful military assault on Ukraine. Led by Russia’s impressive Armed Forces positioned at the Ukrainian border, this assault wasn’t spontaneous but a premeditated action. Despite the circumstances resembling a war, the Russian government refrains from using this term. They’d rather refer to it as a “special military operation”.
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