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Russia accused Kyiv on Sunday of launching drone attacks that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region overnight as Ukraine celebrated 34 years since its independence.

Russian officials said several power and energy facilities were targeted in the overnight strikes. The fire at the nuclear facility was quickly extinguished with no injuries reported, according to the plant's media service on Telegram. While the attack damaged a transformer, radiation levels remained within normal ranges.

The United Nations' nuclear watchdog said it was aware of media reports that a transformer at the plants had caught fire"due to military activity," but hadn't received independent confirmation. It said its director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said "every nuclear facility must be protected at all times."

Ukraine did not immediately comment on the alleged attack.

Firefighters also responded to a blaze at the port of Ust-Luga in Russia's Leningrad region, home to a major fuel export terminal. The regional governor said approximately 10 Ukrainian drones were shot down, with debris igniting the fire.

Russia's Defence Ministry claimed its air defences intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight into Sunday.

Russia fired 72 drones and decoys, along with a cruise missile, into Ukraine overnight into Sunday, Ukraine's air force said. Of these, 48 drones were shot down or jammed.

On Saturday, Russia claimed its forces had seized two villages in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine.

Prisoner swap as Ukraine marks Independence Day

The latest developments in the war that began in February 2022 come as Russia and Ukraine acknowledged a prisoner swap.

Russia's Defence Ministry said Sunday that 146 Russian service personnel had been returned from Ukraine in exchange for the same number of Ukrainian service personnel. The ministry said the latest exchange also included eight residents of Russia's Kursk region, which was subject to a surprise Ukrainian incursion in August 2024, who were returned to Russia after being held in Ukraine.

Shortly after the Russian announcement, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said"our people are coming home." He said those in the exchange included members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service and civilians.

"Most of them had been in captivity since 2022," he said.

Zelenskyy did not confirm the number of prisoners involved in the exchange.

Sunday marks Ukraine's independence Day, with celebrations held to commemorate its 1991 declaration of independence from the then Soviet Union. Zelenskyy delivered remarks in a video address from Kyiv's Independence Square, emphasizing the nation's resolve.

"We are building a Ukraine that will have enough strength and power to live in security and peace," Zelenskyy said, calling for a"just peace."

"What our future will be is up to us alone," he said, in a nod to the U.S.–Russia summit in Alaska earlier in August that many feared would leave Ukrainian and European interests sidelined.

"And the world knows this. And the world respects this. It respects Ukraine. It perceives Ukraine as an equal," he said.

'Canada has always stood by our side': Zelenskyy

Along with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who met with Zelenskyy and reiterated Canada's support of Ukraine, U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg at the Independence Day celebrations in Kyiv. Zelenskyy awarded Kellogg the Ukrainian Order of Merit, of the first degree.

WATCH | Canadian PM Mark Carney stresses support for Ukraine during surprise visit:

Carney reiterates support for Ukraine in surprise visit to Kyiv

Zelenskyy also praised countries supporting Ukraine.

"On this special day — Ukraine's Independence Day — it is especially important for us to feel the support of our friends. And Canada has always stood by our side," wrote Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy's chief of staff.

Norway announced significant new military aid Sunday, pledging about 7 billion kroner (over $962 million Cdn) for air defence systems. Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said his country and Germany are jointly funding two Patriot systems, including missiles, with Norway also helping procure air defence radar.

Pope Leo XIV prayed Sunday for peace in Ukraine as he marked Independence Day with a special appeal during his weekly noon blessing. He said the faithful were joining Ukrainians"asking that the Lord give peace to their martyred country."

Leo also sent a telegram to Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian leader posted it on X, formerly Twitter, along with similar notes from other world leaders.

In the letter, Leo assured his prayers for all Ukrainians who are suffering, and wrote:"I implore the Lord to move the hearts of people of good will, that the clamour of arms may fall silent and give way to dialogue, opening the path to peace for the good of all."