Ukraine Targets Russian Nuclear Plant with Drone Strike; Explosion Sparks Fire, Putin Vows Retaliation

International News:In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Ukraine launched a drone strike on one of Russia’s largest nuclear power plants in the Kursk region. According to the plant’s press service, the attack triggered an explosion and fire after a transformer was hit. The incident reduced the operational capacity of one unit at the facility. The news was confirmed on Sunday morning, raising immediate concerns about safety and potential retaliation from Moscow.

Fire Under Control, No Radiation Threat

Eyewitnesses reported that the drone exploded upon impact, setting off flames within the plant premises. Russian authorities assured that radiation levels remained normal and confirmed there were no casualties from the incident. Emergency services managed to extinguish the fire swiftly, preventing a larger crisis. Despite this, the attack highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure amid the ongoing war.

Attack Coincides with Ukraine’s Independence Day

The timing of the drone strike carries symbolic weight, as Ukraine was celebrating its Independence Day on August 24. The date marks Kyiv’s separation from the Soviet Union in 1991, making it a day of national pride. Analysts believe the strike on the Kursk nuclear plant was intended as both a tactical and psychological message to Moscow.

Russia’s Counterclaims and Ongoing Strikes

In response, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that its air defense systems intercepted 160 Ukrainian drones and four guided aerial bombs in the last 24 hours. Moscow also reported shooting down 33 drones near its western border areas. Meanwhile, a large fuel export terminal in Russia’s Leningrad region was engulfed in flames, which Russian officials also attributed to Ukrainian drone activity. The Ukrainian government has not responded to these claims so far.

Global Concerns Over Nuclear Safety

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expressed deep concern and urged both nations to exercise maximum restraint around nuclear facilities. Experts warn that repeated attacks near nuclear plants could risk catastrophic consequences, even if radiation leaks have been avoided so far.

Ceasefire Talks See No Breakthrough

This escalation comes at a sensitive time, as international efforts are underway to push for a ceasefire. Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin met former US President Donald Trump in Alaska, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with Trump and European leaders in Washington. While both meetings were described as “positive,” no concrete agreement has emerged to halt the fighting.

War Shows No Signs of Ending

The Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022, continues to claim lives and destabilize global security. With strikes now targeting nuclear plants and fuel depots, the war has reached a far more dangerous stage. Observers fear that Putin, enraged by the Kursk strike, may order a forceful retaliation in the coming days, further reducing hopes for peace.