Date of IAEA head's visit to Kursk Nuclear Power Plant announced

"Given the serious situation, I am personally leading the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in the Russian Federation," Grossi stated.

He emphasized that the safety of all nuclear power plants is a central and fundamental issue for the agency.

"Since new developments and increased levels of military activity in the vicinity of the KNPP, I have been closely following developments on the ground, especially with respect to the plant. It is important that when the Agency is called upon to fulfill its mandate to ensure that nuclear is used in a peaceful manner, we are present," added the IAEA head.

According to him, the only way for the IAEA to confirm information about the situation at the Kursk NPP is to independently assess what is happening.

"I reiterate that the safety and security of nuclear facilities must, under no circumstances, be endangered. This is an evolving situation, and it is vital when I arrive at the plant tomorrow that I see first-hand the situation and discuss modalities for further activities as may be needed to evaluate the nuclear safety and security conditions of the KNPP," Grossi stressed.

What preceded

Last week, the American news agency Bloomberg reported that the Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, plans to visit the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in Russia in the coming days and then travel to Kyiv.

He expects to discuss the Ukrainian Armed Forces' operations in the Kursk region with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Later, the IAEA head confirmed his intention to visit the Kursk NPP.

It is worth noting that Russian propagandists have repeatedly claimed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces intend to capture the Kursk NPP.