Russia has warned of the horrific potential consequences of a man-made disaster at a nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is currently held by Russia and has seen recent fighting flashpoints between Russia and Ukraine and even shelling.
The skirmishes earned an outpouring of fury from United Nations (UN) chiefs and nuclear experts, while Ukraine's authorities have been performing disaster response drills in the event of a catastrophic incident at the plant.
Emergency responders were seen donning protective equipment and scanning 'patients' for radiation.
Russia accused Ukraine of planning a "provocation" while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited the plant last Friday and is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's radioactive, chemical and biological defence forces said the plant's backup support systems were damaged during the shelling.
Russia's Defence Ministry has also said it is considering shutting down the plant while it remains close to the front lines of the fighting.
A disaster at the plant, they say, would see radioactive material covering large parts of Europe including Germany, Ukraine, Poland and Slovakia.
Despite being in Russian control, the plant is still run by Ukrainian engineers.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recently called for the plant to be demilitarised and members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to be allowed in to inspect it.
He said: "The seizure of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant by Russian forces poses a serious threat to the safety and security of these facilities, raises the risk of a nuclear accident or incident, and endangers the population of Ukraine, of neighbouring countries and of the international community.
"It is urgent to allow the inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency and to ensure the withdrawal of all Russian forces."
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, strongly condemned the reports of shelling at Zaporizhzhia.
He said: "I'm extremely concerned by the shelling at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, which underlines the very real risk of a nuclear disaster that could threaten public health and the environment in Ukraine and beyond."
Both Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other for the shelling at the plant .
Grossi added at the time: "Military action jeopardising the safety and security of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is completely unacceptable and must be avoided at all costs.
"What is at stake is extremely serious and extremely grave and dangerous. Every principle of nuclear safety has been violated.
"You have a catalogue of things that should never be happening in any nuclear facility."
