The cooling tower of a reactor unit of Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant was attacked by a drone early on Thursday (September 17), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said, adding that no fire erupted and the unit continued operating as earlier. The IAEA confirmed information about the operation of the reactor unit after the cooling tower was attacked. In contrast, the agency did not report any change in the unit's operating mode after the incident.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The IAEA has been informed that the cooling tower of a reactor unit of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in the Russian Federation was hit by a drone early on Thursday. It was reported that the unit was operating at the time, but its operating mode did not change and there was no fire. 

DG @rafaelmgrossi says all attacks on nuclear facilities are unacceptable as they could endanger nuclear safety and security, irrespective of where they occur. 

DG Grossi also reiterates call for maximum military restraint to prevent the risk of a nuclear accident.&mdash; IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) <a href="https://x.com/iaeaorg/status/2100961872467918888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi desacrbed strikes on nuclear facilities as unacceptable and urged all sides to execrcise maximum military restraint near nuclear sites to minisme the risk of a nuclear accident.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-14-killed-10-abducted-in-armed-group-attack-on-central-ethiopia-1789746165311">At least 14 killed, 10 abducted in armed group attack on central Ethiopia</a> A cooling tower forms part of a nuclear power plant's heat-removal system but is a separate structure from the reactor itself. In this instance, the IAEA noted that the affected unit continued to function normally even after being struck by the drone.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 BREAKING: A drone struck a cooling tower at Russia’s Kursk Nuclear Plant, with no reported radiological impact. In Ukraine, a Russian drone hit an Odesa office building, injuring seven, while strikes also hit the Kirovohrad region. <a href="https://t.co/QYLmqMDebI">pic.twitter.com/QYLmqMDebI</a>&mdash; HINT News (@9415st) <a href="https://x.com/9415st/status/2100978489247903957?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The agency has consistently cautioned that military activity in the vicinity of nuclear facilities carries potential risks to nuclear safety and security. Situated in Russia's Kursk region, which shares a border with Ukraine, the Kursk nuclear power plant has repeatedly come under the shadow of fighting during the Russia-Ukraine war. According to a Russian media report, Russian air defence systems intercepted and downed a Ukrainian combat drone near the plant in August 2025.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi desacrbed strikes on nuclear facilities as unacceptable and urged all sides to execrcise maximum military restraint near nuclear sites to minisme the risk of a nuclear accident.

The cooling tower of a reactor unit of Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant was attacked by a drone early on Thursday (September 17), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said, adding that no fire erupted and the unit continued operating as earlier. The IAEA confirmed information about the operation of the reactor unit after the cooling tower was attacked. In contrast, the agency did not report any change in the unit's operating mode after the incident.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi desacrbed strikes on nuclear facilities as unacceptable and urged all sides to execrcise maximum military restraint near nuclear sites to minisme the risk of a nuclear accident.

Drone strikes cooling tower at Russia's Kursk Nuclear Plant, IAEA confirms

russias-kursk-nuclear-power-plant

Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, News on Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, stories on Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, articles on Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant stories at Wion, Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant news, Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant latest news

russias kursk-nuclear-power-plant

Drone strikes cooling tower at Russia's Kursk Nuclear Plant, IAEA confirms