Russia accuses Kyiv of attacking nuclear power plant on Ukrainian Independence Day

By&nbspEuronews&nbspwith&nbspAP

Published on 24/08/2025 - 13:21 GMT+2

Russia says a Ukrainian drone onslaught started a occurrence astatine a atomic powerfulness works successful its occidental Kursk region overnight, arsenic Ukraine celebrated 34 years since its independence.

Russian officials said respective powerfulness and power accommodation were targeted successful nan overnight strikes. The occurrence astatine nan atomic installation was quickly extinguished pinch nary injuries reported, according to nan plant’s property work connected Telegram. While nan onslaught damaged a transformer, radiation levels remained wrong normal ranges.

The United Nations’ atomic watchdog said it was alert of media reports that a transformer astatine nan plants had caught occurrence “due to subject activity,” but hadn’t received independent confirmation. It said its director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said that “every atomic installation must beryllium protected astatine each times.”

Ukraine did not instantly remark connected nan alleged attack.

Firefighters besides responded to a blaze astatine nan larboard of Ust-Luga successful Russia’s Leningrad region, location to a awesome substance export terminal. The location politician said astir 10 Ukrainian drones were changeable down, pinch debris igniting nan fire.

Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its aerial defences intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones complete Russian territory overnight into Sunday.

Russia, successful its turn, fired 72 drones and decoys, on pinch a cruise missile, into Ukraine overnight into Sunday, Ukraine’s aerial unit said. Of these, 48 drones were changeable down aliases jammed.

The incidents occurred arsenic Ukraine marked independency day, commemorating its 1991 declaration of independency from nan Soviet Union. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered remarks successful a video reside from Kyiv’s Independence Square, emphasising nan nation’s resolve.

“We are building a Ukraine that will person capable spot and powerfulness to unrecorded successful information and peace,” Zelenskyy said, calling for a “just peace.”

“What our early will beryllium is up to america alone,” he said, successful a motion to nan US–Russia acme successful Alaska earlier successful August, which galore feared would time off Ukrainian and European interests side-lined.

“And nan world knows this. And nan world respects this. It respects Ukraine. It perceives Ukraine arsenic an equal,” he said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was among nan VIP guests for nan juncture and arrived successful Kyiv connected Sunday greeting for meetings pinch Zelenskyy.

“On this typical time — Ukraine’s Independence Day — it is particularly important for america to consciousness nan support of our friends. And Canada has ever stood by our side,” wrote Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s main of staff.

Norway announced important caller subject assistance Sunday, pledging astir 7 cardinal kroner (€594 million) for aerial defence systems. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Norway and Germany are jointly backing 2 Patriot systems, including missiles, pinch Norway besides helping procure aerial defence radar.

Meanwhile, fighting continued connected nan beforehand statement successful eastbound Ukraine, wherever Russia claimed Saturday that its forces had seized 2 villages successful nan Donetsk region.