A Ukrainian drone was shot down over western Russia on Sunday, triggering a fire at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, officials confirmed.
According to the plant’s Telegram statement, the drone detonated upon impact, sparking a blaze that was quickly extinguished by emergency crews. No casualties were reported, though the facility did temporarily reduce capacity as a precaution.
“The radiation background at the industrial site of the Kursk NPP and the surrounding area has not changed and corresponds to natural levels,” the plant said.
Located near the Russia-Ukraine border, the Kursk plant lies west of the regional capital of Kursk, a city with a population of around 440,000. The incident has renewed concerns over nuclear safety amid ongoing hostilities.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly warned of the risks of military activity near nuclear facilities, as Russia's war in Ukraine continues into its third year.
The strike coincided with Ukraine’s Independence Day, marking its 1991 break from the Soviet Union—a symbolic moment as the country fights to reclaim territory currently under Russian control, including Crimea and parts of eastern and southern Ukraine.
Despite international pressure, Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to reject calls for an immediate ceasefire. The war has so far claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions, and left vast regions in ruins.
