Ukraine's Infrastructure Strikes Deepen as Peace Talks Stall

Russia has denied any intention for a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, despite ongoing efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to facilitate peace talks. These efforts have faced resistance, with Russian officials suggesting that the agenda for such a meeting is not yet ready. Meanwhile, the conflict continues to escalate, with Ukraine targeting critical infrastructure deep inside Russia, including a nuclear power plant and a major fuel export terminal in Ust-Luga.

On August 24, 2025, Ukraine launched a drone attack on the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, which is located near the border with Ukraine. A drone detonated near the plant, damaging an auxiliary transformer and reducing the operating capacity of reactor No. 3 by 50%. The incident did not result in any injuries or elevated radiation levels. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has previously warned about the risks of military activity near nuclear facilities and reiterated the importance of protecting such sites [1].

Simultaneously, Ukrainian drones struck the Ust-Luga fuel export terminal in the Leningrad region, causing a large fire that emergency services worked to extinguish. The terminal is vital for Novatek’s operations, which include processing gas condensate into various fuels for export to markets in Asia and Europe [1]. The attack also led to flight disruptions at several Russian airports, with some flights being diverted or delayed [1].

Further, a Ukrainian drone attack on an industrial facility in Syzran resulted in a child being injured, according to regional authorities [1]. The attack on Syzran followed a previous strike on the Rosneft-owned Syzran oil refinery, which had also forced a temporary shutdown of production and crude intake [1].

Despite these military actions, Ukraine maintains that its strikes on Russian infrastructure are a response to Russia’s ongoing aggression and are aimed at crippling Moscow’s war efforts. Kyiv has increasingly used drones to conduct such attacks, particularly over the past several months [2].

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict have hit a wall. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stated that Putin is ready to meet Zelensky but that the agenda for any summit is not yet prepared [3]. Lavrov has also accused Ukraine of refusing to compromise on key issues, further complicating peace talks [3].

U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a leading role in attempting to bring both leaders to the table, following a recent meeting with Putin in Alaska. However, the outcome of these efforts remains uncertain, with Trump expressing frustration over the lack of progress. The U.S. administration has emphasized the need for peace but has not yet managed to bridge the significant differences between the two sides [4].

As the war continues, the international community remains divided on how to address the situation. While some, like NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, are working on robust security guarantees for Ukraine, others remain skeptical about the feasibility of a lasting peace [3]. The recent attacks by Ukrainian forces on Russian infrastructure suggest that the conflict is far from resolution, with neither side willing to make significant concessions.

Source: [1] Ukraine drone hits Russian nuclear plant, sparks huge fire ... (https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-drone-hits-russian-nuclear-plant-sparks-huge-fire-novateks-ust-luga-2025-08-24/) [2] Downed Ukrainian Drone Causes Fire At Kursk Nuclear ... (https://www.rferl.org/a/kursk-nuclear-power-plant-fire-ukraine-drone/33511527.html) [3] Russia is trying to stop meeting on peace and prolong war ... (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgjpmg4r23o) [4] A week after Trump embraced Putin, the Ukraine peace ... (https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/22/politics/trump-putin-zelensky-ukraine-war-analysis)