Russia has warned of an alleged Ukrainian drone attack on the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) as Ukraine continues its unexpected incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, which began on August 6.

Ukrainian forces have reportedly seized 1,250 square kilometers of territory and 92 settlements, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called for an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) investigation into the alleged attack, though Ukraine has not confirmed the incident.

The IAEA stated that drone remains were found 100 meters from the plant’s spent fuel storage facility. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi plans to visit the NPP next week to assess the situation.

The Kursk offensive, which has forced Russia to divert resources, marks the first time foreign troops have seized Russian territory since World War II, Newsweek has reported.

So far, 115,000 Kursk residents have been evacuated due to the conflict, which continues to raise nuclear safety concerns.

Written by B.C. Begley