Russia blames nuclear site attack on Ukraine as Kyiv marks independence day

BBC:

Russia has blamed Ukrainian drone attacks for a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region, saying several Russian power and energy facilities had been targeted overnight.

There were no injuries and the fire was quickly extinguished, the plant’s press service said on messaging app Telegram. It said the attack had damaged a transformer, but radiation levels were within the normal range.

Firefighters were also sent to a blaze at the port of Ust-Luga in Russia’s Leningrad region, which holds a large fuel export terminal. The regional governor said about 10 Ukrainian drones were brought down and debris had sparked the fire.

Ukraine has not commented on the Russian accusations.

The United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly called on both Russia and Ukraine to show maximum restraint around nuclear facilities in the war.

It comes as Ukraine celebrates its independence day on Sunday, which marks the country’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kyiv on Sunday morning to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The pair are expected to hold a joint press conference.

“On this special day – Ukraine’s Independence Day – it is especially important for us to feel the support of our friends. And Canada has always stood by us,” Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, wrote on Telegram.

Meanwhile Zelensky shared a letter from King Charles sending the people of Ukraine his “warmest and most sincere wishes”.

“I keep feeling the greatest and deepest admiration for the unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian people,” the King writes. “I remain hopeful that our countries will be able to further work closely together to achieve a just and lasting peace.”

Zelensky said the King’s “kind words are a true inspiration for our people during the difficult time of war”.