Russia accused Ukraine Sunday of launching drone assaults that sparked a hearth at a nuclear energy plant in its western Kursk area in a single day, as Ukraine celebrated 34 years since its independence.
Russian officers stated a number of energy and power amenities had been focused within the in a single day strikes. The hearth on the nuclear facility was shortly extinguished with no accidents reported, in response to the plant’s press service on Telegram. Whereas the assault broken a transformer, radiation ranges remained inside regular ranges.
The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog stated it was conscious of media stories {that a} transformer on the vegetation had caught fireplace “attributable to army exercise,” however hadn’t acquired unbiased affirmation. It stated its director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, stated that “each nuclear facility have to be protected always.”
Ukraine didn’t instantly touch upon the alleged assault.
Firefighters additionally responded to a blaze on the port of Ust-Luga in Russia’s Leningrad area, dwelling to a serious gas export terminal. The regional governor stated roughly 10 Ukrainian drones had been shot down, with particles igniting the fireplace.
Russia’s Protection Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory in a single day into Sunday.
Russia fired 72 drones and decoys, together with a cruise missile, into Ukraine in a single day into Sunday, Ukraine’s air power stated. Of those, 48 drones had been shot down or jammed.
The incidents occurred as Ukraine marked independence day, commemorating its 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered remarks in a video deal with from Kyiv’s Independence Sq., emphasizing the nation’s resolve.
“We’re constructing a Ukraine that may have sufficient energy and energy to stay in safety and peace,” Zelenskyy stated, calling for a “simply peace.”
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“What our future will probably be is as much as us alone,” he stated, in a nod to the U.S.–Russia summit in Alaska earlier in August, which many feared would go away Ukrainian and European pursuits sidelined.
“And the world is aware of this. And the world respects this. It respects Ukraine. It perceives Ukraine as an equal,” he stated.
U.S. particular envoy Keith Kellogg was in attendance at independence day celebrations in Kyiv, throughout which Zelenskyy awarded him the Ukrainian Order of Advantage, of the first diploma.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kyiv on Sunday morning for conferences with Zelenskyy.
“On this special occasion — Ukraine’s Independence Day — it’s particularly essential for us to really feel the help of our mates. And Canada has all the time stood by our aspect,” wrote Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of employees.
In a joint press convention with Zelenskyy, Carney stated Canada will make investments 2 billion Canadian {dollars} ($1.5 billion) in new army help for Ukraine to spice up its military and supply urgently wanted weapons.
Zelenskyy stated the 2 leaders had been contemplating the presence of Canadian forces on the bottom in Ukraine as a part of a reassurance power.
Norway introduced important new army support Sunday, pledging about 7 billion kroner ($695 million) for air protection methods. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Retailer stated Norway and Germany are collectively funding two Patriot methods, together with missiles, with Norway additionally serving to procure air protection radar.
Pope Leo XIV prayed Sunday for peace in Ukraine as he marked the nation’s independence day with a particular attraction throughout his weekly midday blessing. He stated the trustworthy had been becoming a member of Ukrainians “asking that the Lord give peace to their martyred nation.”
Leo additionally despatched a telegram to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to mark independence day, which the Ukrainian chief posted on X together with related notes from different world leaders.
Within the letter, Leo assured his prayers for all Ukrainians who’re struggling, and wrote: “I implore the Lord to maneuver the hearts of individuals of excellent will, that the clamor of arms could fall silent and provides approach to dialogue, opening the trail to peace for the great of all.”
In the meantime, combating continued on the entrance line in japanese Ukraine, the place Russia claimed Saturday that its forces had seized two villages within the Donetsk area.
Russia’s Protection Ministry stated Sunday that 146 Russian servicemen had been returned from Ukraine, in trade for a similar variety of Ukrainian servicemen. The ministry stated the most recent trade additionally included eight residents of Russia’s Kursk area, which was topic to a shock Ukrainian incursion in August 2024, who had been returned to Russia after being held in Ukraine.
Shortly after the Russian announcement, Zelenskyy stated “our persons are coming dwelling.” He stated that these being exchanged included members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Nationwide Guard, the State Border Guard Service and civilians. “Most of them had been in captivity since 2022,” he stated.
Zelenskyy didn’t verify the variety of prisoners concerned within the trade.
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