Fire Reported but No Radiation Leak Detected: Russia Accuses Ukraine
Russia Accuses Ukraine of launching a drone attack on the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), sparking a fire and damaging an auxiliary transformer, officials in Moscow said on Sunday. The incident coincided with Ukraine’s 34th Independence Day celebrations, raising concerns over the safety of nuclear facilities caught in the crossfire of the ongoing war.
Russia Accuses Ukraine of attack. According to Russian authorities, the attack forced a 50 percent reduction in the operating capacity of reactor number three at the Kursk facility, located in the western Kursk region near the Ukrainian border. Officials added that multiple energy and infrastructure sites were also targeted in overnight strikes.
Plant operators confirmed that the fire was quickly contained and no injuries were reported. Two reactors remain offline and not producing power, while another unit is undergoing scheduled maintenance. Importantly, radiation levels in the surrounding area remained within safe limits. That’s the evidence of Russia Accuses Ukraine.
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Drone Strike on Kursk Nuclear Plant Amid Independence Day 2025
Moscow Condemns Attack as Violation of International Norms
Alexander Khinshtein, acting governor of the Kursk region, strongly denounced the strikes, saying Ukraine’s actions “pose a direct threat to nuclear safety and represent a blatant violation of international conventions.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) later confirmed that its monitoring detected no abnormal radiation near the plant. “Radiation levels remain stable at the Kursk NPP,” the watchdog said in a statement posted on X, easing fears of a wider nuclear incident.
The Kursk plant is not the first nuclear site to be drawn into the conflict. Both Moscow and Kyiv have repeatedly traded accusations over attacks near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest, which remains under Russian control. Experts have long warned that hostilities in or around such facilities carry the risk of a catastrophic accident.
Overnight Strikes Across Russia
Beyond Kursk, Russia reported multiple drone incursions overnight. In the Leningrad region, debris from intercepted drones ignited a blaze at the port of Ust-Luga, a key fuel export terminal. Firefighters managed to contain the flames.
The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed its air defence systems intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones across different regions overnight. In response, Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 72 drones and decoys along with a cruise missile during the same period, of which 48 drones were either shot down or jammed.
Independence Day in Ukraine
The attacks unfolded as Ukraine marked its Independence Day, commemorating the country’s 1991 break from the Soviet Union. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an address from Kyiv’s Independence Square, highlighting the resilience of the Ukrainian people despite nearly three years of full-scale war.
“We are building a Ukraine strong enough to live in peace and security,” Zelenskyy declared. He reiterated his call for a “just peace,” emphasizing that Ukraine’s destiny rests in its own hands.
The Ukrainian leader also alluded to recent diplomatic tensions following a U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska earlier this month, which sparked fears in Kyiv that Western allies might sideline Ukrainian interests. “The world respects Ukraine. It sees us as equals,” Zelenskyy insisted.
Moscow Pushes Back on Diplomacy
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized Zelenskyy for what he described as “obstinate demands” for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Lavrov accused Ukraine of attempting to derail a peace process initiated by Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“We hope these attempts will be thwarted,” Lavrov said, accusing Western nations of deliberately blocking negotiations aimed at ending the war. He also confirmed that no meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin is currently planned, despite U.S. efforts to mediate.
Fighting Continues in Donetsk
On the battlefield, Russia claimed its forces had seized control of two villages in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region over the weekend. The claims could not be independently verified, but they underscore that heavy fighting continues despite ongoing diplomatic maneuvers.
Western Support for Kyiv
Ukraine’s Independence Day also brought a show of international solidarity. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kyiv on Sunday for talks with Zelenskyy. “On this special day, it is especially important to feel the support of our friends, and Canada has always stood by us,” said Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president’s office.
Norway also announced a fresh aid package, pledging 7 billion kroner ($695 million) for Ukraine’s air defence systems. Officials in Oslo said the funding is part of a broader commitment to help Ukraine defend itself against continued Russian missile and drone attacks.
A Risky Escalation
The alleged strike on the Kursk nuclear facility highlights the escalating risks in the conflict. While both sides appear determined to press their military advantage, international observers warn that attacks on nuclear infrastructure could trigger a disaster extending far beyond the battlefield.
As Ukraine celebrates its independence and Russia vows retaliation, the war shows no signs of easing. For the people living near nuclear plants on both sides of the border, the dangers are not just political or military, but existential.
