Ukraine conducted a drone strike on Russia over the weekend, leading to a significant decrease in the operational capability of a reactor at a major Russian nuclear power plant and igniting a large fire at the prominent Ust-Luga fuel export terminal, as confirmed by Russian authorities. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, described as the deadliest European war since World War Two, persists along a 2,000 km front with missile and drone assaults penetrating deep into both countries, despite peace discussions.
The Russian defense ministry disclosed that on August 24, Ukraine’s Independence Day, over 95 Ukrainian drones were intercepted in more than a dozen regions of Russia. The Kursk nuclear power plant, situated just 60 km from the Ukrainian border, reported that an air defense system successfully downed a drone that exploded near the plant, causing damage to an auxiliary transformer and resulting in a 50% reduction in the operational capacity of reactor No. 3. Fortunately, radiation levels remained within normal limits, and no injuries were reported from the ensuing fire. The other reactors at the plant are either functioning without generating power or are undergoing scheduled maintenance.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, a United Nations nuclear watchdog, acknowledged reports of the transformer fire due to military activity at the plant and emphasized the critical need for safeguarding all nuclear facilities. In a separate incident, at least 10 Ukrainian drones were shot down over the Ust-Luga port in Russia’s northern Leningrad region, leading to debris-triggered fires at the Novatek-operated terminal, a significant Baltic Sea fuel export and processing hub.
Videos circulating on Russian social media platforms depicted a drone crashing into the fuel terminal, followed by a massive explosion and a plume of black smoke rising into the sky. Governor Alexander Drozdenko of the Leningrad region confirmed that firefighting and emergency response teams were deployed to control the blaze, with no reported injuries. The Ust-Luga complex, inaugurated in 2013, plays a crucial role in processing gas condensate into various oil products for international markets, with Novatek predominantly supplying naphtha to Asian countries like China, Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia.
Rosaviatsia, the Russian civil aviation authority, announced temporary flight suspensions at multiple airports, including Pulkovo airport in the Leningrad region. Additionally, Ukrainian drones targeted an industrial facility in Syzran, a southern Russian city, causing harm to a child according to the governor of the Samara region. Earlier reports indicated a strike on the Syzran oil refinery by the Ukrainian military, resulting in production halts and crude intake disruptions at the Rosneft-owned facility.
While Ukraine has not issued an immediate response, Kyiv previously stated that its actions within Russia are retaliatory measures against Russian assaults on Ukraine, specifically targeting infrastructure deemed vital to Moscow’s military operations.