Russia Accuses Ukraine of Drone Strike on Nuclear Plant as Kyiv Marks Independence Day

 

 

Russia has accused Ukraine of launching drone attacks that triggered a fire at a nuclear power plant in the Kursk region early Sunday, as Ukraine marked its 34th Independence Day amid ongoing conflict.

Russian officials said the overnight strikes targeted multiple energy infrastructure sites. A fire broke out at the Kursk nuclear power facility after a transformer was hit, but was quickly extinguished, according to a statement from the plant’s press service on Telegram. No casualties were reported, and radiation levels remained within normal limits.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) acknowledged media reports of the incident but said it had not independently confirmed the attack. Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi reiterated that “every nuclear facility must be protected at all times.”

Ukraine has not issued an official comment on the alleged strike.

Elsewhere, firefighters responded to a separate blaze at the port of Ust-Luga in Russia’s Leningrad region, reportedly caused by debris from downed Ukrainian drones. Russian authorities claimed 10 drones were shot down in the area.

Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that 95 Ukrainian drones were intercepted across its territory overnight.

In response, Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia had launched 72 aerial targets, including drones and decoys, along with a cruise missile. Ukrainian forces said they intercepted or jammed 48 drones.

The exchange of strikes occurred as Ukraine observed its Independence Day. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the nation from Kyiv’s Independence Square, emphasizing national unity and resilience.

“We are building a Ukraine that will have enough strength and power to live in security and peace,” Zelenskyy said, calling for a “just peace.”
“What our future will be is up to us alone.”

His remarks referenced global concerns following the recent U.S.–Russia summit in Alaska, where Ukrainian interests were feared to be sidelined.

U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg attended the celebrations in Kyiv, where Zelenskyy awarded him the Order of Merit, 1st Degree. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also arrived in the capital for meetings and announced CA$2 billion (US$1.5 billion) in new military aid.

During a joint press conference, Zelenskyy and Carney discussed the possibility of Canadian forces joining an international reassurance mission in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Norway pledged 7 billion kroner (US$695 million) in air defense support, including two Patriot missile systems co-funded with Germany.

In Rome, Pope Leo XIV marked the occasion with a peace appeal during his weekly blessing. He prayed for Ukrainians and called for an end to the war, writing in a telegram to Zelenskyy:

“I implore the Lord to move the hearts of people of good will, that the clamor of arms may fall silent and give way to dialogue.”

On the battlefield, Russia said it had captured two villages in the Donetsk region, while Ukraine’s military claimed to have retaken Novomykhailivka, also in Donetsk.

The day also saw a large-scale prisoner swap. Russia’s Defense Ministry said 146 Russian soldiers, including eight civilians from the Kursk region, were returned in exchange for an equal number of Ukrainians. Zelenskyy confirmed the release, noting many had been in captivity since 2022.

“Our people are coming home,” he said.

Photos released Sunday showed emotional reunions between Ukrainian prisoners of war and their families at an undisclosed location.