Ukraine strikes Russian fuel terminal and nuclear plant

Drone attacks spark fires at separate facilities as Ukrainians celebrate anniversary of independence from Soviet Union

- GUY FAULCONBRIDGE LIDIA KELLY

Russia has accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack yesterday, forcing a sharp fall in the capacity of a reactor at one of Russia’s biggest nuclear power plants and sparking a huge blaze at the major Ust-Luga fuel export terminal.

Despite talk of peace from the two countries, the war is continuing along the 2,000km (1,250-mile) front line, accompanied by missile and drone attacks deep into both Russia and Ukraine.

Russia’s defence ministry said at least 95 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted across more than a dozen Russian regions yesterday, the day that Ukraine celebrates its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The Kursk nuclear power plant, just 60km (38 miles) from the border with Ukraine, said air defences had shot down a drone that detonated near the plant just after midnight, damaging an auxiliary transformer and forcing a 50 per cent reduction in the operating capacity at reactor No 3.