Russia strengthens security at Kursk nuclear power plant amid Ukraine's assault in region

​​​​​​​By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia said Wednesday that it strengthened security at the Kursk nuclear power plant amid Ukraine's assault in the region.

The Russian Guard Corps said it took additional measures to ensure the safety of the plant, including the deployment of additional units in the area.

"As part of ensuring the safety of a particularly important facility, the Russian Guard Corps units took additional measures to protect the Kursk nuclear power plant," it said.

It added that the security services increased their forces to combat the Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups in the Kursk and Belgorod regions.

The office of Kursk’s Acting Gov. Alexey Smirnov announced that emergency situation forces were introduced in the region because of ongoing combat operations and the situation on the border "remains tense."

Additional forces have also been allocated to the operational headquarters under the leadership of the governor of the Kursk region to handle the incursion, it said.

The Russian chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, said Wednesday that up to 1,000 Ukrainian troops attacked Russia's military positions near two border settlements adjacent to Ukraine's Sumy region on Tuesday.

At least five civilians were killed and 24 injured in the attack, including six children, according to statements from regional authorities.

Ukraine has not yet commented on the claims and independent verification is difficult because of the war.​​​​​​​