https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr7rn98l8kjo
Ukrainian troops are continuing their offensive in the Kursk region of western Russia, entering a fifth day of surprise cross-border attacks. Russia’s Defense Ministry said Friday it was “continuing to repel attacks” by Ukrainian forces, with Ukrainian forces reportedly advancing more than 10 kilometers (6 miles) into Russia.
Ukraine has not publicly acknowledged the invasion, but President Volodymyr Zelensky said this week that Moscow should “feel” the consequences of its incursion.
The fighting in Kursk has gradually moved closer to the nuclear power plant, prompting the UN’s nuclear energy agency to issue a statement calling on both sides to “exercise maximum restraint.” The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, issued a warning that said: “The IAEA is monitoring the situation in response to reports of military activity taking place in the area of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).
The plant has six units with two types of reactors: RBMK-1000 and VVER-510. Two RBMK-1000 units are in shutdown mode, while two are fully operational. Two VVER-510 units are under construction.
At this stage, I would like to call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid a nuclear accident with possible serious radiological consequences. I am personally in contact with the relevant authorities of both countries and will continue to deal with this issue. I will continue to inform the international community as necessary."
The Russian Defense Ministry said additional troops with heavy equipment were being transferred to the Kursk region. A counter-terrorism operation has been declared there and in the neighboring Belgorod and Bryansk regions, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. Local authorities now have the power to restrict the movement of people and vehicles, allow wiretapping of telephone conversations, and impose temporary evacuations.
In turn, the Ukrainian military said it had struck a military airfield deep inside Russian territory on Friday, destroying a warehouse containing hundreds of glide bombs.
The Russian ruble fell 2.5% against the dollar on Friday, with traders telling the AFP news agency that one of the reasons for the fall was the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region.
Read also:
Riots Сontinue in Britain Following Massacre at Children's Dance Studio
Protests in Bangladesh: the Prime Minister Left the Country, the Crowd Seized Her Residence