Ukraine hits Russia’s nuke plant as Kyiv marks independence day

Russia on Sunday accused Ukraine of launching drone attacks that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region overnight, as Ukraine celebrated 34 years since its independence.

Russian officials said several power and energy facilities were targeted in the overnight strikes. The fire at the nuclear facility was quickly extinguished with no injuries reported, according to the plant’s press service. While the attack damaged a transformer, radiation levels remained within normal ranges. The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog said it was aware of media reports that a transformer at the plants had caught fire “due to military activity”, but hadn’t received independent confirmation.

Its director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said, “Every nuclear facility must be protected at all times.” Ukraine did not immediately comment on the alleged attack. Firefighters also responded to a blaze at the port of Ust-Luga in Russia’s Leningrad region, home to a major fuel export terminal. The regional governor said approximately 10 Ukrainian drones were shot down, with debris igniting the fire. Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its air defences intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight into Sunday. Russia fired 72 drones and decoys, along with a cruise missile, into Ukraine overnight into Sunday, Ukraine’s air force said. Of these, 48 drones were shot down or jammed.

The incidents occurred as Ukraine marked independence day, commemorating its 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered remarks in a video address from Kyiv’s Independence Square, emphasising the nation’s resolve. “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,” he said, in a nod to the US-Russia summit in Alaska earlier in August, which many feared would leave Ukrainian and European interests sidelined.

"And the world knows this. And the world respects this. It respects Ukraine. It perceives Ukraine as an equal," he said. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kyiv on Sunday morning for meetings with Zelenskyy. "On this special day - Ukraine's Independence Day - it is especially important for us to feel the support of our friends. And Canada has always stood by our side," wrote Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy's chief of staff.