عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
World

Russia Says Ukraine Plans Kursk Nuclear Power Plant 'provocation'

FILE: A view shows the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict outside Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian-controlled Ukraine, March 29, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko Purchase Licensing Rights
FILE: A view shows the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict outside Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian-controlled Ukraine, March 29, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko Purchase Licensing Rights
TT
TT

Russia Says Ukraine Plans Kursk Nuclear Power Plant 'provocation'

FILE: A view shows the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict outside Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian-controlled Ukraine, March 29, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko Purchase Licensing Rights
FILE: A view shows the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict outside Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian-controlled Ukraine, March 29, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko Purchase Licensing Rights

Russia's defense ministry accused Ukraine on Saturday of planning to attack the Kursk nuclear power plant and blame such a "provocation" on Moscow, Interfax news agency cited the ministry as saying.

According to Reuters, the ministry said Russia would respond harshly in the event of such an attack, which it said would contaminate a large surrounding area.

Ukraine launched an incursion into Russia's western Kursk region on Aug. 6 and has claimed to have taken control of 82 settlements over an area of 1,150 square kilometres (440 square miles) since Aug. 6.

The Kursk nuclear power plant, however, remains under Russia's control.

Most Viewed

 
 
World

Wildfires Rage in Western Türkiye for 3rd Straight Day

This aerial photograph shows a forest area partially burnt and with smoke emanating from wildfires in the western province of Izmir on August 17, 2024. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)
This aerial photograph shows a forest area partially burnt and with smoke emanating from wildfires in the western province of Izmir on August 17, 2024. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)
TT
TT

Wildfires Rage in Western Türkiye for 3rd Straight Day

This aerial photograph shows a forest area partially burnt and with smoke emanating from wildfires in the western province of Izmir on August 17, 2024. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)
This aerial photograph shows a forest area partially burnt and with smoke emanating from wildfires in the western province of Izmir on August 17, 2024. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)

Wildfires raged across western Türkiye for a third straight day Saturday, exacerbated by high winds and warm temperatures, authorities said.

More than 130 fires have erupted across the country in the past week, according to Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate. Most have been brought under control, but eight major fires continued in the provinces of Izmir, Aydin, Manisa, Karabuk and Bolu.

Thousands of firefighters were tackling the blazes on land and from the air, with dozens of aircraft and hundreds of vehicles aiding in the emergency response, The Associated Press reported.

Thousands of people have been evacuated from the affected areas, but there have been no reported casualties, according to Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli, who spoke to reporters Saturday as he toured the affected provinces.

Yumakli cited low humidity, high winds and high temperatures as exacerbating factors. The General Directorate of Forestry warned people not to light fires outside for the next 10 days because of the weather conditions across western Türkiye, warning of a 70% greater risk of wildfires.

Meanwhile, authorities detained four people in Bolu in connection with the fires, two of whom were arrested and two released.