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Russia Demands More Objectivity from IAEA After Nuclear Plant Visit

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Russia has called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to adopt a “more objective and clearer” stance on nuclear safety following a visit by IAEA chief Rafael Grossi to a nuclear plant near ongoing hostilities with Ukraine. The call for a more decisive stance came a day after Grossi’s inspection of the Kursk nuclear facility, which is situated close to the area where Ukraine has recently conducted military incursions.

During his visit, Grossi highlighted the risks of a potential nuclear accident at the Kursk plant, noting damage from a recent drone strike, which Russia has attributed to Ukraine. He refrained from assigning blame but emphasized the heightened risk to the facility. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized the IAEA for not presenting a clearer position on nuclear safety, though she denied that Russia was seeking a pro-Russian bias from the agency. “We want a more objective and clearer expression of the IAEA’s position,” Zakharova said, stressing the need for fact-based assessments to ensure safety and prevent catastrophic scenarios.

The IAEA has yet to comment on the request, but the appeal reflects growing pressure from Moscow on the agency, which has consistently urged restraint to avoid incidents around nuclear facilities during the 30-month conflict. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that while the IAEA lacks the mandate to assign blame, there is no doubt about Ukraine’s responsibility for escalating nuclear risks.

On Wednesday, Russia’s National Guard reported finding unexploded U.S.-supplied munitions near the Kursk plant, including a shell from a HIMARS rocket system and a rocket fragment containing 180 unexploded rounds. The Russian military claimed the munitions were shot down by its defenses and partially exploded in mid-air. Ukraine has not yet responded to these allegations, and the authenticity of the Russian report could not be independently verified.

Grossi’s visit revealed vulnerabilities in the Kursk plant, designed without a modern containment dome, which could offer protection in the event of a military strike. Asked whether the drone damage constituted a “nuclear provocation” by Ukraine, Grossi emphasized the importance of a careful and impartial approach, acknowledging the connection between recent military activities and the safety concerns raised.

 

Zelenskiy to Present Strategy to Biden for Ending War with Russia

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Tuesday that he plans to present a comprehensive strategy to U.S. President Joe Biden, alongside potential successors, aimed at ending the ongoing conflict with Russia. Zelenskiy, speaking at a press conference in Kyiv, emphasized that the resolution of the war would ultimately require dialogue, but stressed the necessity for Ukraine to maintain a strong negotiating position.

Part of Zelenskiy’s plan includes the recent three-week incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, a move he sees as integral to Ukraine’s broader strategy. However, he also highlighted that the plan encompasses economic and diplomatic measures to exert pressure on Russia. “The main point of this plan is to force Russia to end the war on terms that are fair to Ukraine,” Zelenskiy stated, referencing Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022.

Zelenskiy indicated his intention to visit the United States in September to attend the U.N. General Assembly in New York, where he hopes to meet with President Biden. He also plans to discuss his strategy with Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and likely Republican candidate Donald Trump, who are the main contenders in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

The Ukrainian leader’s remarks suggest that he envisions a follow-up international summit on peace as a key platform for advancing Ukraine’s position. The first summit, held in Switzerland in June, focused on Ukraine’s vision for peace but did not include Russian representatives, a notable omission as Kyiv sought global support.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed the possibility of negotiations on August 19, following Ukraine’s significant cross-border incursion into Kursk on August 6. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently visited Kyiv, has conveyed to Russian President Vladimir Putin his support for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Zelenskiy has firmly rejected any compromise with Russia that would involve ceding Ukrainian territory. He criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for seeking to impose terms on Ukraine, which Kyiv finds unacceptable. “There can be no compromises with Putin,” Zelenskiy asserted, adding that the incursion into Kursk had diminished global calls for Ukraine to concede territory.

On the battlefield, Zelenskiy mocked Putin’s focus on territorial gains, pointing out that while Ukrainian forces have reportedly captured 100 settlements in Kursk, Russian advances in eastern Donetsk continue at a slow pace. Additionally, Zelenskiy announced progress in Ukraine’s domestic weapons production, including the successful test of a domestically-produced ballistic missile.

 

Ukraine Destroys Second Russian Bridge in Kursk Offensive; Zelensky Reveals Buffer Zone Strategy

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Ukraine has announced the destruction of a second strategic bridge in the Kursk region within a week, continuing its offensive into Russian territory. On Sunday, Ukrainian forces released aerial footage of the attack on a bridge over the Seym River in Zvannoe. Ukrainian Air Force commander Lt Gen Mykola Oleschuk shared the video, highlighting the significant impact of precision airstrikes on Russian logistics.

This development follows the earlier destruction of another Seym River bridge near Glushkovo, which was a key supply route for Russian troops. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the aims of the incursion include establishing a “buffer zone” to prevent further Russian attacks.

Zelensky emphasized that the ongoing operation in Kursk is intended to “destroy as much Russian war potential as possible” and to conduct maximum counteroffensive actions. He noted that Ukrainian troops are strengthening their positions and expanding further into Russian territory, marking nearly two weeks of sustained military presence in Kursk.

In response, Moscow has labeled the incursion a significant provocation and vowed retaliation. Meanwhile, in eastern Ukraine, Russian forces continue to make gains, claiming control over several villages.

The situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, located in Russian-occupied Ukraine, is also under scrutiny. Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), expressed deep concern over the plant’s safety following a recent drone strike near its perimeter. The IAEA called for “maximum restraint” to protect the facility, which has been under attack and is currently not operational.

This ongoing conflict marks the first time foreign troops have entered Russian soil since World War II, leading to a significant escalation in the war’s intensity.