Nuclear Nightmare: Global Meltdown Risk Soars as Ukraine Seizes 100 Towns in Kursk, Targets Second Russian Region

Fears of a nuclear disaster in Russia are escalating as combat intensifies near a power plant, with Ukraine maintaining its offensive.

Rafael Grossi, head of the United Nations' nuclear agency, recently traveled to Kursk to inspect the facility, which lies about 25 miles from the frontline.

Since launching their invasion three weeks ago, Ukrainian forces have captured 100 towns and claim control over 500 square miles of Russian territory. They are now reportedly planning a second cross-border assault targeting the Belgorod region.

While Western nations praise Kyiv's courageous strategy to challenge Putin, concerns grow over the Kursk power plant in western Kursk. Grossi warned of a "danger or possibility of a nuclear accident" at the site, which lacks protective structures and is vulnerable to artillery or missile strikes, The Sun reported.

He highlighted the severe risks if the plant were impacted, drawing parallels to the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.

"We see the plant still operating, but at the same time, the fact that the plant is operating may get even more serious in terms of an eventual action against it.” Grossi stated. Without a protective structure, it makes it “extremely exposed and fragile, for example, to an artillery impact or a drone or a missile,” he added.

Grossi emphasized the critical need to protect nuclear facilities, stating, “Never, ever, must or should a nuclear power plant be attacked in any way.”

Similar fears emerged in 2022 regarding Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia plant after Russia's invasion. Both Ukrainian and Russian officials have accused each other of jeopardizing the site, but a catastrophe has been avoided so far.

Following these warnings, Ukraine’s military chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced that Ukrainian troops had reached the milestone of capturing 100 towns and controlling 500 square miles of Russian land. He appeared on Ukrainian TV to share the progress.

Ukraine is the first nation since World War II to cede territory to a foreign power under such circumstances. Recently, Ukrainian forces seemed to attempt another push into Russia, targeting the Belgorod region after breaking into Kursk. Reports indicate that Kyiv's troops are assaulting border checkpoints while Russian forces vigorously defend their territory.

Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed that Ukrainian soldiers were trying to "break through the border," citing the Russian Defense Ministry. “The situation on the border remains difficult but under control. Our military is carrying out planned work. Please remain calm and trust only official sources of information,” he added.

There are conflicting reports on Telegram about the intensity of Ukrainian attacks. The channel Mash reported that up to 300 Ukrainian soldiers advanced towards the Shebekino border crossing and another 200 towards Nekhoteyevka. The city of Belgorod, with a population of 340,000, is just 23 miles from Nekhoteyevka checkpoint.

However, the channel Shot reported no fighting at Shebekino and that Ukrainian forces were repelled at Nekhoteyevka, claiming that up to 60 soldiers and eight armed vehicles were met with heavy Russian fire. The pro-Kremlin channel stated that Ukrainian troops were pushed back into a forest but continued to attack Russian positions.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the nation endured a second consecutive night of Russian missile strikes. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that the overnight assault involved drones and ballistic missiles, resulting in five deaths and 16 injuries.

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He declared on X, “We will undoubtedly respond to Russia for this and all other attacks. Crimes against humanity cannot go unpunished.”

US President Joe Biden reassured Zelensky of their "unshakeable" alliance following the attacks.

He added, “Ukrainian officials report that this outrageous attack resulted in the deaths of Ukrainian civilians and targeted more than two dozen critical energy sites. Let me be clear: Russia will never succeed in Ukraine, and the spirit of the Ukrainian people will never be broken.”

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy also condemned Russia’s actions on X, stating, “The UK utterly condemns Russia’s cowardly missile and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure across Ukraine today. These assaults are in flagrant violation of international law and those responsible must be brought to justice.”