Belarus President Warns of Russian Nuclear Threat to Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukrainian forces of attempting to attack the Kursk Nuclear Power Station during an overnight raid, a claim he made without providing evidence. In a televised meeting, Putin stated that Moscow has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about the alleged incident. Ukraine has yet to respond to these accusations, which come as Ukrainian forces continue their cross-border operations into Russian territory, raising tensions in the region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a visit to the Sumy region, confirmed that his military has gained control of another Russian village and captured prisoners of war. He emphasized that these operations are part of Ukraine's broader strategy to end the war on favorable terms. Analysts suggest that these incursions have bolstered Ukrainian morale, despite the ongoing conflict, which has seen fighting occur within 30 kilometers of the Kursk nuclear facility. The IAEA's director general, Rafael Grossi, has previously called for restraint from both sides, particularly given the proximity of military actions to nuclear sites. The Kursk plant, which houses four Soviet-era reactors, has been reported as stable by local officials. This incident is not the first instance of mutual accusations regarding nuclear safety since the onset of the war in February 2022. In related developments, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested that Ukraine's actions could provoke a nuclear response from Russia. Analysts believe his comments may be coordinated with Putin to exert psychological pressure on Ukraine. Despite the rhetoric, the situation at the Ukraine-Belarus border remains unchanged, with no Belarusian troops currently deployed to assist Russia in the conflict.