• Ukraine accused of striking a nuclear power plant in Russia's Kursk region on Independence Day.
• Fire caused by the drone attack quickly extinguished with no injuries reported.
• Significant military activities reported, including drone interceptions by both sides.
• International reactions include military aid announcements from Canada and Norway.
• Pope's prayers for peace coincide with escalating tensions in the region.

Russia accused Ukraine on Sunday of launching drone attacks that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region overnight, coinciding with Ukraine's 34th Independence Day celebrations. Russian officials indicated that several power and energy facilities were targeted during the strikes, with the fire at the nuclear facility being quickly extinguished and no injuries reported. Despite damage to a transformer, radiation levels remained within normal ranges, as stated by the plant’s press service on Telegram, according to Newsweek and LA Times.

The United Nations' nuclear watchdog acknowledged awareness of the reports regarding the transformer fire linked to military activity but had not confirmed the incident independently. Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA's director-general, emphasized that "every nuclear facility must be protected at all times." Ukrainian authorities did not immediately respond to the allegations of the attack, according to HuffPost and India Times.

In addition to the nuclear facility incident, reports surfaced of a blaze at the port of Ust-Luga in Leningrad, Russia, where approximately ten Ukrainian drones were intercepted, with debris igniting the fire. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses had intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones across Russian territory overnight. Concurrently, Ukraine's air force reported that it shot down or jammed 48 of the 72 drones and decoys fired into its airspace by Russia, according to South China Morning Post and India Times.

As these military activities unfolded, President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered remarks from Kyiv's Independence Square, reaffirming Ukraine's resilience and calling for a "just peace." Zelensky stated, "We are building a Ukraine that will have enough strength and power to live in security and peace," echoing sentiments of national pride amidst ongoing conflict. He also noted that the future of Ukraine is determined by its people alone, a perspective reflecting concerns over international dialogues sidelining Ukrainian interests, according to HuffPost and LA Times.

This Independence Day saw significant international support as Canada announced a $1.5 billion military assistance package, while Norway pledged $695 million for air defense systems. U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg was present at the celebrations in Kyiv, where Zelensky awarded him the Ukrainian Order of Merit. The somber realities of war were underlined by a special prayer for peace delivered by Pope Leo XIV during his weekly blessing, which coincided with Independence Day, calling for an end to the ongoing suffering in the region, according to South China Morning Post, HuffPost, and India Times.