Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Monday that a "disaster" at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine would threaten the whole of Europe.
“In the shelter of the station, the occupiers bombard the surrounding towns and communities.
Any radioactive incident at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant can strike a blow at European Union countries, Turkey, Georgia, and countries in more distant regions.
It all depends on the direction and strength of the wind,” Mr. Zelensky warned in his Monday evening address.
"If Russia's actions lead to a catastrophe, the consequences could hit those who remain silent for now," he warned.
He called on the international community to adopt "tough new sanctions against Russia" and not to "give in to nuclear blackmail".
"All Russian forces must immediately withdraw from the station and surrounding areas without any conditions," he said.
The Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, was taken in early March by Russian troops, at the start of their invasion of Ukraine launched on February 24.
A growing danger
Since the end of July, several strikes, of which the two parties accuse each other, have targeted the site, raising fears of a nuclear disaster and provoking a meeting of the UN Security Council last week.
In recent days, the mayor of Energodar, Dmytro Orlov, where the plant is located, said that the risks around the Zaporizhia complex "are increasing every day".
He also denounced "pure and simple nuclear terrorism" by Russia, which "can end unpredictably at any time".
"Mortar fire on the nuclear power plant is being carried out every day and night from the occupied villages", he added, explaining that "the situation is serious and the most worrying thing is that there is no de-escalation process.