Ukraine strikes Russian nuke plant and steps up attacks on oil refineries

Russia accused Ukraine on Sunday, August 24, of launching drone attacks on one of its nuclear plants, sparking a fire, as news emerged that Donald Trump is again threatening Moscow with more sanctions.

The Kyiv drone strikes against Russia’s western Kursk nuclear power plant also come amid the country’s increased attacks on its enemy’s oil refineries, and while Ukrainian 34-year independence celebrations were taking place back in the capital, the AP reported.

Russian officials said several power and energy facilities were targeted in the overnight strikes. They assured that the fire at the nuclear facility was quickly extinguished with no injuries reported. While the attack damaged a transformer, radiation levels remained within normal ranges, the UN’s nuclear watchdog confirmed. The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said that “every nuclear facility must be protected at all times.”

According to the Russian regional governor, firefighters also responded to a blaze at the port of Ust-Luga in Russia’s Leningrad region, home to a key fuel export terminal. The official said 10 Ukrainian drones were shot down, with debris igniting the fire. A significant rise in Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries has sent gasoline prices in Russia to record highs, despite the government banning petrol exports to cope with the crunch. Ukrainian drones have struck at least 10 top Russian energy facilities this month alone, affecting at least 10 per cent of the country’s oil refinery capabilities, according to CNN.

Zelensky calls for ‘just peace’

Ukraine’s massive aerial attacks occurred as the country commemorated its 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered remarks in a video address from Kyiv’s Independence Square, highlighting the nation’s resolve.

“We are building a Ukraine that will have enough strength and power to live in security and peace,” Zelenskyy said, calling for a “just peace. What our future will be is up to us alone,” he added, in a nod to the U.S.–Russia summit in Alaska earlier in August, which many feared would leave Ukrainian and European interests sidelined.

Zelensky also admitted that, “Ukraine has not yet won, but it has certainly not lost.”

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney was with Zelensky at St Sophia’s Cathedral as he addressed the crowd: “I want to say something very simple and important: Canada will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine.” Carney said drones, ammunition and armoured vehicles worth more than £534 million (about 616 million euros) would be delivered to Ukraine next month. The deliveries would make up more than half of a support package he announced in July. Also present in Kyiv’s celebrations was US envoy Keith Kellogg, who, according to Ukrainian media, was awarded the Order of Merit..

Trump renews ultimatum for Russia

On Friday, August 22, Donald Trump renewed his threat to impose sanctions on Russia within two weeks unless progress is made to reach a peace deal with Ukraine, amid rising tensions between Moscow and Washington.

The US president told reporters at the White House that his administration “would “make a decision as to what we do, and it’s going to be a very important decision, and that’s whether or not it’s massive sanctions or massive tariffs or both, or do we do nothing and say it’s your fight? Over the next two weeks, we’re going to find out which way it’s going to go. And I better be very happy.”