Ukraine denies attack as Russia claims kursk nuclear threat
Russian media claim that the Armed Forces of Ukraine attempted to shell the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. The pro-Russian channel Mash reports that four missiles and a drone were shot down. A fire broke out near the power plant. Rosenergoatom assures that the station operates normally, and the radiation background is within the norm. Kyiv calls these accusations lies.
6:02 PM EDT, October 3, 2024
Many pieces of information provided by Russian media or government representatives are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information war conducted by the Russian Federation.
Reports of explosions in the city of Kurchatov in Russia started around 10:20 AM Eastern Time. The pro-Russian channel Mash claims that the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched four missiles and a drone towards the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. All targets were supposedly shot down over Kurchatov.
"Radiation levels are normal"
Several explosions occurred in the city, and a strong fire broke out three miles from the nuclear power plant.
Rosenergoatom, the company responsible for running the plant, confirms that after reports of an incident near the facility, the unit is functioning as expected. They also note that radiation levels remain within normal range.
Immediate reaction from Kyiv
The Ukrainian Center for Counteracting Disinformation immediately stated these reports, in which it deemed the Russian statement about an attack on the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant a lie.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the UCFD, stated that targeting the nuclear power plant would be illogical, emphasizing that there has been no strike on it. He explained that the Russians are displaying some activity in Kurchatov, with recordings showing an explosion on the ground. He questioned the reasoning behind shelling a nuclear power plant.
