The statement of the press representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, causes concern. Zakharova spoke on Saturday night of “incoming reports” claiming that the “Kiev regime” was preparing “provocations against nuclear facilities of the Russian Federation” Zakharova said on Saturday night.

“According to incoming reports, the Kiev regime has begun preparations for an attack on the Kursk nuclear power plant. Russia calls on international organizations, in particular the United Nations and the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), to immediately condemn the provocations of the Kiev regime and take action to prevent any threat that would endanger nuclear safety and security of the Kursk nuclear power plant, which could lead Europe to serious disaster by a human factor”.

“Furthermore, by taking such actions, Kiev not only constitutes straight and direct threat to nuclear power plants, but it also undermines the IAEA’s principles on nuclear safety and security, as articulated by the agency’s chief, Rafael Grossi, in 2022.”

“The international community must recognize the danger posed by the “neo-Nazi regime” of Kiev for the European continent,” Zakharova argued.

“Together, we must demonstrate stability and determination to prevent any attempt to intimidate and terrorize entire regions and the international community in general,” concluded the Russian official.

On 9 August the IAEA appealed for “maximum restraint” around the nuclear power plant in Russia’s Kursk region, where fighting has raged since Ukrainian forces invaded.

“At this stage, I would like to appeal to all parties to exercise maximum restraint in order to avoid a nuclear accident”underlines in a statement the head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi.