As Russia strikes Kyiv and Kharkiv, Russian cooling tower hit by drone

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reprimanded missile attacks on nuclear facilities, particularly after a drone struck the cooling tower of a reactor unit at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in Russia. The incident occurred early Thursday, while the reactor unit was actively running. The IAEA's Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, emphasized that any such attacks on nuclear sites are unacceptable, as they can jeopardize nuclear safety and security.

The cooling tower was targeted, but no fire or radiological impact was reported. The UN nuclear watchdog informed the IAEA about the drone attack, adding that Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant was the target. The drone strike came amidst escalating attacks between Russia and Ukraine, with Ukrainian officials reporting that at least 19 individuals were injured due to Russian missile and drone strikes in Kyiv and surrounding areas.

In Odesa, seven individuals, including two children, were injured when a Ukrainian drone hit an office building. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that a Ukrainian drone struck an oil refinery in Russia's Yaroslavl region, resulting in a fire that was extinguished.