Russian officials have accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack that resulted in a drone being shot down near the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant on Sunday, August 24, 2025, Ukraine’s Independence Day. The incident caused a fire at the plant and reduced the capacity of one of its reactors, but no injuries were reported and radiation levels were said to be normal.
Key details of the incident:
- Target:Â A Ukrainian combat drone was intercepted by Russian air defenses near the Kursk nuclear power plant, which is located about 60 km from the Ukrainian border.
- Damage:Â The downed drone detonated upon impact, damaging an auxiliary transformer and causing a fire. As a result, the operating capacity of reactor number three was reduced by 50%.
- Safety:Â Russian officials and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that radiation levels remained at natural, normal levels after the incident.
- Context:Â The drone strike was part of a larger, coordinated wave of Ukrainian drone attacks on various locations within Russia on the same day, including a fuel terminal in the Leningrad region.Â
