Premium

Russia blames nuclear site attack on Ukraine as Kyiv marks independence day; Zelenskyy says ‘we need peace’

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney joined the celebrations at St Sophia’s Cathedral in Kyiv on his first visit to Ukraine since taking office in March.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy talks during the press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Kyiv, Ukraine. (AP Photo)

A fire broke out at a nuclear power plant in Russia’s Kursk region after what Moscow said was a Ukrainian drone strike, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pledged on Independence Day that Ukraine would continue resisting Russia’s invasion.

The plant’s press service said a transformer was damaged but no one was hurt and radiation levels were normal. The fire was quickly extinguished. The International Atomic Energy Agency said it was following developments and urged both Russia and Ukraine to act with restraint around nuclear sites.

In Kyiv, Zelenskyy told crowds that Ukraine would decide its own future.

Story continues below this ad

“We need peace, a peace where our future will be decided only by us,” he said, according to the BBC. “Ukraine has not yet won, but it has certainly not lost.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, on his first visit to Ukraine since taking office in March, stood alongside Zelenskyy at St Sophia’s Cathedral. “Canada will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine,” he said. Ukrainian media reported that more than C$1 billion (£534m) in military aid would arrive in September.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo)

Reuters reported that Zelenskyy presented a state honour to Keith Kellogg, the US president’s envoy to Ukraine. Handing him the award, Zelenskyy said: “We need peace.” Kellogg replied: “We’re going to make this work.”

US President Donald Trump has urged Kyiv to consider concessions to Russia in his push for a peace deal. Zelenskyy responded that Ukrainians “would fight to remain on their land” and that the war must end with guarantees of peace for future generations.

Story continues below this ad

Ukraine’s allies also announced new support. Norway pledged 7 billion kroner (£514m) for air defence systems with Germany. Sweden said it would begin joint defence production with Ukraine. Britain confirmed it would keep training Ukrainian soldiers until at least 2026 under Operation Interflex.

A girl holds a Ukranian flag during a gathering to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo)

In London, Ukrainian flags were raised above Downing Street, while in Kyiv’s Independence Square, people gathered at a memorial for those killed in the war.

King Charles sent a message to Zelenskyy, writing of his “deepest admiration for the unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian people”. Zelenskyy said the King’s words were “a true inspiration” during the conflict.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 and now controls about a fifth of Ukraine’s territory. Talks earlier this month between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska ended without progress.

(With inputs from BBC and Reuters)

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram