{
  "id": 8297517,
  "title": "IAEA Condemns Drone Strike On Russia’s Kursk Nuclear Plant Cooling Tower Amid Escalating Russia-Ukraine Attacks | Video",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/iaea-condemns-drone-strike-on-russias-kursk-nuclear-plant-cooling",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T19:53:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/iaea-condemns-drone-strike-on-russias-kursk-nuclear-plant-cooling-tower-amid-escalating-russia-ukraine-attacks"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Moscow [Russia]: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had condemned attacks on nuclear facilities after a drone struck the cooling tower of a reactor unit at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in Russia, warning that such incidents could pose risks to nuclear safety and security. The IAEA said it was informed that the cooling tower was hit by a drone early Thursday. The reactor unit was…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Interfax-Ukraine",
        "title": "Russia attacks Kyiv with ballistic missiles; air defense systems are active – Klitschko",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/russia-attacks-kyiv-with-ballistic-missiles-air-defense-systems-are",
        "published": "2026-09-18T16:39:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "As Russia strikes Kyiv and Kharkiv, Russian cooling tower hit by drone",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/as-russia-strikes-kyiv-and-kharkiv-russian-cooling-tower-hit-by-drone",
        "published": "2026-09-18T18:14:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV",
        "title": "Drone Hits Cooling Tower At Russia's Nuclear Plant, Says UN Nuclear Watchdog",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/drone-hits-cooling-tower-at-russias-nuclear-plant-says-un-nuclear",
        "published": "2026-09-18T18:47:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}