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
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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.



Japan's PM Kishida Plans US Visit in Late September

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida leaves at the end of a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on August 14, 2024. Kishida confirmed on August 14 that he will not seek re-election as head of his party next month, meaning the end of his premiership. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida leaves at the end of a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on August 14, 2024. Kishida confirmed on August 14 that he will not seek re-election as head of his party next month, meaning the end of his premiership. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Japan's PM Kishida Plans US Visit in Late September

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida leaves at the end of a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on August 14, 2024. Kishida confirmed on August 14 that he will not seek re-election as head of his party next month, meaning the end of his premiership. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida leaves at the end of a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on August 14, 2024. Kishida confirmed on August 14 that he will not seek re-election as head of his party next month, meaning the end of his premiership. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is finalizing plans to visit the US in late September for the UN General Assembly and a possible meeting with President Joe Biden, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Saturday.

The visit may take place for several days starting on Sept. 22, the report said, citing multiple government sources it did not identify.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry, in response to a request for comment from Reuters, said "nothing has been decided yet".

Kishida on Wednesday dropped out of the leadership race for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, meaning he will step down as prime minister when his term as party leader ends in late September.

The date of the LDP election is not yet set. It could be as early as Sept. 20, in which case Kishida would likely address the General Assembly after Japan's parliament, where the LDP has a majority, has chosen his replacement as prime minister, according to the Yomiuri.

Some in the Japanese government think it best if Kishida's successor does not develop close ties with Biden, who is due to leave office in January, the newspaper said.

Biden, who dropped out of November's US presidential election, was replaced as the Democratic Party nominee last month by Vice President Kamala Harris. She faces the Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump.