Ukraine Drone Strikes Force Nuclear Reactor Shutdown, Ignite Fire At Russian Fuel Terminal

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russia on Sunday, disrupting operations at a key nuclear facility and igniting a massive fire at one of the country’s biggest fuel export terminals, according to Russian officials.

The attacks coincided with Ukraine’s Independence Day, underscoring the persistence of Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War Two. Despite diplomatic discussions about peace, the war grinds on across a 2,000 km (1,250 mile) front line, marked by cross-border missile and drone strikes.

Kursk Nuclear Plant Partially Shut Down

Russia’s defense ministry said its air defenses intercepted at least 95 Ukrainian drones across more than a dozen regions on August 24. One of the most serious incidents occurred at the Kursk nuclear power plant, located just 60 km (38 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

According to plant authorities, air defenses shot down a drone near the site shortly after midnight. The explosion damaged an auxiliary transformer, sparking a fire and forcing a 50% reduction in the operating capacity of Reactor No. 3.

Officials stressed that radiation levels remained normal and there were no injuries. Two other reactors are currently offline, while another is undergoing scheduled repairs.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it was aware of reports that military activity had caused a transformer fire at the plant. The agency emphasized the need for continuous protection of all nuclear facilities amid the ongoing war.

Fire at Ust-Luga Export Terminal

Almost 1,000 km north in Russia’s Leningrad region, at least 10 Ukrainian drones were intercepted near the Ust-Luga port, a vital hub for fuel and gas condensate exports on the Gulf of Finland.

Debris from the attack sparked a major blaze at the Novatek-operated terminal, one of Russia’s largest Baltic Sea processing and export complexes.

Unverified footage shared on Russian Telegram channels appeared to show a drone flying directly into a fuel storage facility, followed by a massive fireball and a towering plume of black smoke.

Regional governor Alexander Drozdenko confirmed the fire but reported no injuries. Emergency crews and firefighters were deployed to contain the blaze.

The Ust-Luga complex, operational since 2013, processes gas condensate into light and heavy naphtha, jet fuel, fuel oil, and gasoil. Much of its output is exported to Asia, including China, Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia, as well as to Turkey.

Wider Impact Across Russia

The drone wave also struck targets deeper inside Russia. In the Samara region, an industrial facility in the city of Syzran was hit, leaving a child injured, according to regional officials.

Earlier this month, Ukraine claimed responsibility for striking the Rosneft-owned Syzran oil refinery, which was forced to suspend crude intake and halt production temporarily.

Meanwhile, Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, said multiple airports were forced to suspend operations overnight, including Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, as drone debris posed risks to civilian flights.

Kyiv Silent, But Strategy Clear

Ukraine did not immediately comment on the Sunday strikes. However, officials in Kyiv have repeatedly said that drone and missile operations inside Russian territory are a direct response to Moscow’s ongoing bombardment of Ukrainian cities.

According to Ukrainian authorities, such strikes are designed to target critical energy and military infrastructure in Russia, aiming to weaken the Kremlin’s war machine.

The latest barrage highlights both Ukraine’s growing long-range drone capabilities and Russia’s vulnerability to attacks far from the front lines. As the war enters its third year, the strikes serve as a reminder that even deep inside Russian territory, strategic infrastructure remains at risk.

Highlights

Kursk nuclear plant hit by drone strike, forcing a 50% capacity reduction at one reactor.
Ust-Luga fuel export terminal in Leningrad region ignited after drone debris sparked a massive fire.
Russia claims to have intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones across more than a dozen regions on Ukraine’s Independence Day.

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