Ukraine celebrated its 34th Independence Day under the shadow of intensified cross-border attacks and tentative diplomatic signals, with Moscow accusing Kyiv of overnight drone strikes that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in Russia’s Kursk region and Washington saying Russia has shown “significant concessions” in preliminary talks.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that for “the first time in three and a half years of this conflict” Russian negotiators had “been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands,” describing a fledgling process aimed at “find[ing] a middle ground to stop the killing.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in a separate appearance on the same program, countered that no summit between Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin is planned, saying, “the agenda is not ready at all.”
The split-screen messages capped a weekend that saw a flurry of strikes and counterstrikes, new Western aid pledges, and speeches in Kyiv that sought to rally Ukrainians and reassure allies that Ukraine’s future “is up to us alone,” as Zelenskyy put it from Independence Square.
What happened overnight
- Kursk nuclear plant: Russian officials said multiple power and energy sites were targeted and that a transformer fire at the Kursk nuclear facility was “quickly extinguished,” with no injuries and radiation levels within normal ranges. The plant’s press service reported damage to a transformer; the International Atomic Energy Agency noted media reports of a fire “due to military activity” but said it had not independently confirmed details, reiterating Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi’s position that “every nuclear facility must be protected at all times.” Ukraine did not immediately comment on the allegation.
- Ust-Luga fuel hub: In Russia’s Leningrad region, authorities said about 10 Ukrainian drones were downed near the port of Ust-Luga, where debris ignited a fire at a major fuel export terminal.
- Competing tallies: Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed 95 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over its territory overnight. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 72 drones and decoys plus one cruise missile into Ukraine, of which 48 drones were shot down or jammed.
The overnight barrage underscores the widening radius of long-range strikes deep into logistics and energy infrastructure as both sides seek leverage ahead of any substantive talks.
Diplomacy: cautious signs, mixed messages
Vance said U.S. mediators are “engaging in this diplomatic process in good faith” and “trying to negotiate as much as we can with both the Russians and the Ukrainians.” His remarks followed last week’s White House meetings, where President Trump hosted Zelenskyy alongside European leaders — sessions Zelenskyy later praised as demonstrating “genuine unity.”
Lavrov, however, said any leader-level summit would require a prepared agenda: “Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy when the agenda is ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all.” The gap between Washington’s optimism about movement and Moscow’s insistence that conditions are premature suggests diplomacy remains exploratory rather than imminent.
Independence Day in Kyiv: resolve and recognition
Addressing crowds on August 24, Zelenskyy framed Independence Day as both commemoration and commitment: “We are building a Ukraine that will have enough strength and power to live in security and peace,” he said, calling for a “just peace.” He also pushed back against fears that great-power talks could sideline Kyiv: “What our future will be is up to us alone… The world respects Ukraine. It perceives Ukraine as an equal.”
U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg attended the ceremonies, where Zelenskyy awarded him the Order of Merit, first degree. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kyiv for meetings and later announced a major funding package.
New military assistance and international support
- Canada: Carney pledged CA$2 billion (≈US$1.44 billion) in new military aid to “boost [Ukraine’s] army and provide urgently needed weapons.” Zelenskyy said Kyiv and Ottawa are also considering the presence of Canadian forces on the ground in a reassurance role — a politically sensitive notion that will attract scrutiny among NATO allies.
- Norway & Germany: Norway announced about 7 billion kroner (≈US$695 million) for air defenses, including joint funding with Germany for two Patriot systems and associated missiles, plus support for air-defense radar.
- The Vatican: Pope Leo XIV used his weekly blessing to appeal for peace, saying the faithful were joining Ukrainians “asking that the Lord give peace to their martyred country.” In a telegram to Zelenskyy, he wrote: “I implore the Lord to move the hearts of people of goodwill, that the clamor of arms may fall silent and give way to dialogue.”
Battlefield snapshot and prisoner exchange
On the ground, Russia said its forces seized two villages in eastern Donetsk. Ukraine’s military intelligence said Kyiv’s troops had retaken Novomykhailivka in the same region — competing claims that reflect a grinding, positional fight in the east and north.
Both sides confirmed a prisoner exchange on Sunday: Russia’s Defense Ministry said 146 Russian servicemen and eight civilian residents from the Kursk region were returned, while Zelenskyy said “our people are coming home,” including members of the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, and civilians, “most… in captivity since 2022.” Kyiv did not publish a total figure, but Moscow said the exchange was 146 for 146.
Why this matters
- Nuclear safety risk: Even contained fires at nuclear-adjacent infrastructure elevate concerns about cascading risks and miscalculation. While radiation remained normal in Kursk, repeated strikes near energy assets are a red flag for the IAEA and neighboring states.
- Leverage ahead of talks: Long-range strikes on fuel and power networks — from Ust-Luga to energy nodes across western Russia — are designed to strain logistics and bargaining positions as diplomats test each other’s red lines.
- Aid and air defenses: New Patriot batteries and radar promised by Norway and Germany, plus Canadian funding, could help Ukraine blunt drone and missile salvos. The timing — on Independence Day — is also a signal of political backing as negotiations are floated.
- Mixed diplomatic signals: Washington’s talk of Russian “concessions” contrasts with Moscow’s denial of summit readiness. The divergence suggests any pathway will be incremental, contingent on battlefield dynamics and the specifics of a potential framework.
Key questions readers have — answered
Was there a radiation leak in Kursk?
No. Russian officials said radiation levels were normal after a transformer fire; the IAEA noted reports but hasn’t independently confirmed details.
Is a Zelenskyy–Putin meeting imminent?
No. Lavrov said there is no planned meeting and that a summit would require a prepared agenda that “is not ready.”
Are Western troops going to Ukraine?
Zelenskyy said Kyiv and Ottawa are considering a reassurance presence by Canadian forces. That would be a significant policy decision requiring Canadian domestic and allied consensus; no deployment has been announced.
What new aid was pledged?
Canada announced CA$2 billion in military support. Norway pledged ~US$695 million focused on air defense, co-funding two Patriot systems with Germany and supporting radar.
Are both sides still exchanging prisoners?
Yes. A swap returned 146 Russian personnel and 146 Ukrainians (per Moscow). Kyiv highlighted the return of soldiers and civilians, many held since 2022.
What’s next
- Talks about talks: U.S. officials will attempt to translate what they call Russian “flexibility” into concrete proposals. Watch for working-level contacts, confidence-building measures (like additional exchanges), and any public articulation of negotiating parameters.
- Air defense race: Expect continued emphasis on interceptors, radar, and electronic warfare as both sides escalate drone and missile use. The effectiveness of new Patriot units — and the sustainability of missile stocks — will shape winter air campaigns.
- Critical infrastructure strikes: Cross-border attacks on energy and logistics nodes are likely to continue as each side seeks leverage. Nuclear-adjacent incidents will keep the IAEA engaged and regional governments on alert.
The bottom line
Ukraine’s Independence Day illustrated the paradox of this phase of the war: intense pressure on infrastructure and front lines paired with early-stage diplomatic feelers. While Washington sees hints of Russian movement, Moscow says the ground isn’t set for a leaders’ summit. In the meantime, Kyiv leans on fresh Western aid, celebrates the return of captive citizens, and signals that — whatever is discussed abroad — Ukraine’s choices about its future remain its own.
