Russia intercepts Ukrainian drone close to nuclear power plant

(MENAFN) Russian authorities reported that a Ukrainian explosive drone was intercepted near a nuclear power facility in the Kursk region, an area that had previously seen months of Ukrainian military presence.

The plant’s management stated that the unmanned aircraft, shot down in the early hours of Sunday, damaged sections of the electrical grid and caused a brief fire.

The incident follows Ukraine’s cross-border push into Russia’s recognized territory in August 2024, when its forces entered the Kursk region in an attempt to weaken Russian offensives and gain leverage in negotiations. During the advance, Ukrainian troops captured numerous villages, including the strategic border town of Sudzha, located about 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the power station. Moscow’s forces reestablished full control over the region by late April.

Ukraine has consistently targeted Russian energy assets, striking refineries, gas installations, and power networks. Just days earlier, its forces attacked the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies oil to the European Union—a move that sparked strong condemnation from Hungary and Slovakia.

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