DISINFO: Ukrainian armed forces attempted to attack the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant
SUMMARY
Ukrainian forces attempted to attack the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, but the attack was thwarted. Drones belonging to the Ukrainian military were shot down in the area of the nuclear plant. It is hoped that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will send experts to assess the situation.
RESPONSE
Vladimir Putin's statement that Ukraine attempted to attack the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, repeated by pro-Kremlin and other Russian state-controlled outlets, is part of the Kremlin's usual disinformation strategy.
This claim follows a series of baseless accusations related to the Kursk and Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plants. There is no credible or independently verifiable evidence supporting these claims. These fabrications are primarily aimed at inciting fear in the international community regarding Russia's nuclear facilities, as well as justifying Russia's military control over these nuclear sites.
Putin's statement was made just before the planned visit of Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to the Kursk and Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plants. The Kremlin appears to be using this claim to increase pressure on Ukraine and to portray itself as a victim to the international community.
Andrey Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Combating Disinformation, referred to Russia's actions as a 'nuclear provocation'. He emphasised that Russia continues to attempt to incite international concern over its nuclear facilities through such accusations. When these efforts proved ineffective, Putin personally intervened.
As has been seen in the case of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Russia has also used this facility for its military purposes, attempting to accuse Ukraine of nuclear threats. In reality, Ukraine is not the instigator of nuclear threats; rather, the Kremlin itself has been engaging in such actions to intimidate Ukraine and Western countries.
See similar cases IAEA blind to Ukrainian guilt in attacks on nuclear plants as the OSCE was about MH17-flight, Kyiv is preparing a "dirty bomb" near Zaporizhzhia and Kursk nuclear power plants, Ukraine tried to attack Kursk NPP with a kamikaze drone.