The incident occurred as the battle for the crucial eastern city of Avdiivika continues, with heavy losses reported on the Russian side.

On Saturday, the Russian Foreign Ministry alleged that three drones armed with explosives targeted the power plant on Thursday evening. The strike reportedly hit both the administration building and a warehouse storing nuclear waste. The press service for the Kursk nuclear power plant confirmed the attack but stated that there were no significant damages or casualties, and operations at the plant were unaffected.

In response, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that their air defenses shot down six Ukrainian drones, intercepting four in the Oryol region and two more over the Tula region, situated south of Moscow. Meanwhile, Ukraine's air force reported the destruction of three out of four Iskander cruise missiles that were launched over the country's Dnipropetrovsk region on Saturday night.

The reported incident at the Kursk power plant adds another layer of tension to the ongoing battle for Avdiivika. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov informed U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that Russia has suffered approximately 4,000 troop losses in Avdiivka. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also stated that Russia has lost at least a brigade in their attempt to capture the city.

Experts suggest that the Russian offensive in Avdiivika has been costly, primarily for the attackers. Satellite images analyzed by the Institute for the Study of War revealed that Russia lost at least 109 military vehicles, including armored fighting vehicles and tanks, near Avdiivika between October 10 and 20.

The battle for Avdiivika and the reported drone strike on the Kursk nuclear power plant highlight the escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The situation has raised concerns over the potential consequences for both the security of the region and the safety of nuclear facilities. International efforts continue to work towards a peaceful resolution to prevent further escalation and ensure the safety of the affected areas.