These chilling images show the moment heavily armed Russian tanks arrived at the Chernobyl power station, following a fierce firefight between opposing soldiers.
Earlier tonight Ukraine ’s government admitted it had lost control of the infamous Soviet-era plant- the site of the worst nuclear disaster in history in 1986.
These videos show what Ukrainian ground forces faced as Russian troops were backed by vicious tanks which eventually led to Moscow seizing the plant.
Several members of staff are said to have been taken hostage. It is unknown how many casualties there were as a result of the battle.
The nuclear reactor is around 80 miles north of Ukraine's capital, Kyiv- believed to be Putin’s ultimate aim at this stage of the invasion.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says it is following the situation in Ukraine "with grave concern" and appealed for maximum restraint to avoid any action that may put Ukraine's nuclear facilities at risk.
A Ukrainian official earlier said Russian shelling hit a radioactive waste repository and an increase in radiation levels was reported.
Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the head of the president’s office said: "After a fierce battle, our control over the Chernobyl site has been lost.
"The condition of the facilities of the former Chernobyl nuclear power plant is unknown. This is one of the most serious problems in Europe today.
"It is impossible to say that the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is safe.
"This is one of the most serious threats to Europe today. Knowing the habits of the Russians, they are probably already preparing provocative things at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
"Either they will use the damage received by the facilities during the attack to blame Ukraine for this, or they will damage these undoubtedly most dangerous facilities themselves."
Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA's general director, said Ukraine has informed the Vienna-based agency "unidentified armed forces" have taken control of all facilities at the plant and that there had been no casualties or destruction at the industrial site.
Mr Grossi said: “It is of vital importance that the safe and secure operations of the nuclear facilities in that zone should not be affected or disrupted in any way.”
It was not immediately possible for experts to access the repository to assess damage before Russian forces overtook the site.
The move by Putin led to concerns from some Putin could use the damaged reactor in some way, although there has so far been no evidence of that.
Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists in Washington, said: "I can't imagine how it would be in Russia's interest to allow any facilities at Chernobyl to be damaged."
Ukraine's operational nuclear power plants are running safely and there has been no "destruction" at the remaining waste and other facilities at Chernobyl, the U.N. nuclear watchdog says.
