Russia Accuses Ukraine of Drone Attacks on Kursk Nuclear Plant Amid Independence Day

On Ukraine's 34th Independence Day, Russia accused Ukraine of launching drone attacks that caused a fire at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in western Russia, damaging a transformer but not causing any injuries or radiation level increases. The fire was quickly extinguished, and the United Nations' nuclear watchdog confirmed normal radiation levels near the plant but had not independently verified the cause of the fire. Alongside the nuclear plant incident, Russian authorities reported that about 10 Ukrainian drones were shot down at the port of Ust-Luga, igniting a separate fire, while Russian air defenses intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones in total overnight. Ukraine did not immediately comment on the alleged attacks. In response, Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 72 drones and decoys, plus a cruise missile, into Ukraine overnight, with Ukraine shooting down or jamming 48 drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a video address from Kyiv, reaffirmed his country's determination to build a secure and peaceful future, calling for a "just peace" amid the ongoing conflict and recent tensions highlighted by a US–Russia summit.