On August 24, Ukraine executed a significant drone attack against Russia, resulting in a considerable decrease in the operational capacity of a reactor at one of Russia's largest nuclear power plants. This attack also triggered a massive fire at the Ust-Luga fuel export terminal, according to reports from Russian officials. Despite ongoing discussions about peace between Russia and Ukraine, the conflict—the deadliest in Europe since World War Two—persists along a 2,000 km (1,250 mile) front line, marked by frequent missile and drone strikes affecting both nations.
Russia's defense ministry reported that on this day, which coincides with Ukraine's celebration of its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, at least 95 Ukrainian drones were intercepted across multiple Russian regions. The Kursk nuclear power plant, located just 60 km (38 miles) from the Ukrainian border, confirmed that air defenses successfully shot down a drone that detonated near the facility shortly after midnight. This incident damaged an auxiliary transformer, leading to a 50% reduction in the operational capacity of reactor No. 3. Fortunately, radiation levels remained normal, and no injuries were reported.
The Kursk plant also noted that two other reactors were not generating power, while one was undergoing scheduled repairs. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expressed awareness of the transformer fire linked to military activity and emphasized the critical need for the protection of all nuclear facilities.
Further north, over the Gulf of Finland, at least ten Ukrainian drones were downed over the Ust-Luga port in Russia's Leningrad region. Debris from these drones ignited a fire at the Novatek-operated terminal, which is a significant Baltic Sea fuel export terminal and processing complex. Alexander Drozdenko, the regional governor, reported that emergency services are actively battling the blaze, although there were no injuries associated with this incident.
Unverified footage circulating on Russian Telegram channels depicted a drone colliding with the fuel terminal, resulting in a massive fireball and a plume of black smoke rising into the sky. Novatek primarily produces naphtha for Asian markets, including China, Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia, in addition to supplying jet fuel to Istanbul.
In response to these attacks, Rosaviatsia, Russia's civil aviation authority, announced that several Russian airports faced prolonged flight cancellations, including Pulkovo airport in the Leningrad region. Additionally, Ukrainian drones targeted an industrial facility in the southern Russian city of Syzran, leading to an injury of a child, as reported by the governor of the Samara region. Specific details regarding the targeted site were not provided.
Ukraine has maintained that its strikes within Russian territory are retaliatory measures against ongoing Russian assaults on Ukraine. The objective is to incapacitate infrastructure that is deemed vital to Moscow's military operations.
As the conflict continues, both nations remain engaged in a cycle of attacks that complicates any prospects for peace. The situation in Ukraine and Russia is closely monitored by international organizations and governments, highlighting the urgent need for resolution in this ongoing crisis.
