Ukraine launched a large drone attack inside Russia. Russian officials say that one drone triggered a fire at the nuclear power plant, forcing a 50% cut in output at reactor no.3, after an auxiliary transformer was damaged. Plant staff reported no radiation leak and no injuries.
Far to the north, near the Gulf of Finland, debris from drones caused a huge fire at the export terminal in Russia’s Leningrad region. Footage shared and social media and local channels showed a large fireball and along Pluma, black smoke. Officials said emergency teams were working at the scene and reported injuries. The Russian defence ministry said it intercepted at least 95 drones across more than a dozen during the night and morning.
What Happened At The Kursk Nuclear Plant
The Kursk plant sits about 60 km from the Ukrainian border. After midnight, a defence is shot down by a drone near the site. The blast damaged the support transformer, which led to the plan to shut down one reactor while Cruise put out a fire. Other reactors were not running due to repairs or were running without generating any power. The authority-set radiation levels were normal.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said it was aware of reports about a transformer fire linked to military activity and stressed that all nuclear facilities should be protected.
The Ust-Luga Terminal Fire
In the Ust-Luga port area, a Russian official said at least 10 drones were shot down over the region, and debris sparked a fire at the Novatek terminal. The complex processes gas condensed into naphtha, jet fuel, fuel oil, and gasoline for exports to Asian markets and Istanbul. The video posted online showed a drone heading towards storage tanks, followed by a massive fireball and thick smoke.
The terminal is a key hub on the Baltic Sea. Any disruption there can cause issues with fuel exports.
Travel and Other Targets
Russia’s civil aviation agency said flights were stopped for hours at multiple airports overnight due to drone alerts. Local independent outlets also reported delays and temporary closures as air defence engaged drones over major cities.
In Syzran in Russia’s Samara region, local officials said a drone attack hit an industrial site and that a child was injured. Earlier this month, Ukraine said it had struck the Syzran oil refinery, which had to suspend its production. Ukraine did not immediately comment on this incident. Kyiv said strikes aim to reduce Russia’s ability to wage war.
FAQs
- Did the Ukraine drone attack hit the reactor itself in Russia?Â
The reactor was not hit, but the damage was done to an auxiliary transformer.
- What burned Ust-Luga?Â
A fuel terminal run by Novatek. Debris from the drone sparked a fire.
- Were airports closed in Russia?Â
Yes, multiple airports were closed in Russia for hours due to drone threats.
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