TASS quoted Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov as saying: "I sincerely tell you that Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a decision. I am confident that all those responsible will be severely punished for actions in Kursk province" - Antonov said.
Ukrainian forces began a major offensive into Kursk province on August 6, 2024. Missile attack warnings have been issued continuously in the region since then and the government has declared a federal state of emergency there.
According to Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, about 115,000 people have been resettled from dangerous areas near the border.
Interim Governor of Kursk province Alexey Smirnov said more than 133,000 people have left their homes along the border in this province. Temporary accommodation centers for displaced Kursk residents have been opened in 29 Russian regions.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Ukraine has lost more than 4,700 soldiers and 68 tanks since the start of fighting in Kursk.
In another development, President Vladimir Putin said during a cabinet meeting on August 22 that Ukrainian forces intended to attack Russia's Kursk nuclear power plant overnight.
“Last night, the enemy attempted to attack the nuclear plant. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been notified. The IAEA promised to come on its own and send experts to assess the situation. I hope they really do so," Mr. Putin said at a cabinet meeting.
An IAEA spokesman told AFP that IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi had accepted the invitation and planned to visit Kursk next week. After that, he will go to Kiev and discuss with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to Mr. Grossi, the IAEA is very concerned about any combat activity near the Kursk nuclear power plant , because this facility operates the same type of reactor as the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
"They don't have a protective dome around them, just a normal roof, which means the core of the reactor is quite exposed," Mr. Grossi said.
