NextFin news, On August 24, 2025, Ukraine launched a series of drone attacks across Russia, hitting the Kursk nuclear power plant and the Ust-Luga oil terminal, according to Russian officials and multiple news sources including Reuters and WION.
The drone strike near the Kursk nuclear power plant, located about 60 kilometers from the Ukrainian border in western Russia, damaged an auxiliary transformer at reactor No. 3, forcing it to operate at half capacity. The plant's press service confirmed the fire was quickly extinguished, no casualties were reported, and radiation levels remained within normal background values. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) acknowledged the incident and reiterated the importance of protecting nuclear facilities during the conflict.
Simultaneously, a massive fire broke out at the Ust-Luga fuel export terminal, one of Russia's largest energy hubs, following a drone strike. Russian authorities reported that firefighting efforts were ongoing and that fuel tanks were not affected by the fire. The Ust-Luga terminal is located in the Leningrad region near the Estonian border.
Russia's Defense Ministry stated that at least 95 Ukrainian drones were intercepted across more than a dozen Russian regions during the attacks on August 24, the same day Ukraine marked its Independence Day. Other targeted sites included an industrial facility in Syzran, Samara region, approximately 800 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, and areas in the Bryansk region where a child was reported injured.
Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian energy infrastructure in recent months, aiming to disrupt Moscow's war capabilities. These strikes have contributed to fuel shortages and increased gasoline prices in parts of Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in an Independence Day address on August 24, 2025, declared Ukraine a fighter and vowed to continue defending its freedom. The attacks coincided with diplomatic efforts and international support for Ukraine, including military aid announcements from allied countries.
The conflict, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, continues to see active military engagements and strategic strikes on critical infrastructure by both sides.
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