What's happened
In response to ongoing Ukrainian incursions, Russian authorities are restricting access to Kurchatov, home to the Kursk nuclear plant. Only registered residents will be allowed entry, while reinforced concrete shelters are being installed across the region to protect civilians from air attacks.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Moscow Times, acting Governor Alexei Smirnov stated, "the security of the Kursk nuclear power plant is maximized," highlighting the urgency of the entry restrictions. Politico reported that the installation of shelters is a direct response to Ukraine's offensive, with Smirnov noting, "we began to install reinforced concrete shelters in Kursk." This reflects a broader trend of increasing defensive measures in response to perceived threats, as seen in previous installations in Belgorod. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has also expressed concerns about the plant's proximity to conflict, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
How we got here
The conflict escalated with Ukraine's surprise offensive into the Kursk region on August 6, 2024. This prompted Russian authorities to enhance security measures around critical infrastructure, including the Kursk nuclear power plant.
More on these topics
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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The Moscow Times is an English-language online-only newspaper based in Moscow. It was in print from 1992 until 2017, with a peak circulation of 55,000.