A UN watchdog has raised concerns about shelling near the nuclear power plant

The world's nuclear watchdog has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities near the Zaporizhzhia atomic power plant in southern Ukraine as it was struck by the shelling, which was triggered by a shutdown of the reactors and signaling the "real risk of nuclear disaster."

Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said that he was alarmed by the reports of the damage and demanded that the IAEA team of experts urgently be allowed to visit the plant to access and safeguard the site.

Mr. Grossi stated, " I am extremely concerned by the shelling yesterday at Europe's largest nuclear power plant, which underlines the high risk of a nuclear disaster that could threaten the public health and the environment in Kyiv and beyond."

He has also added that the "military action jeopardizing nuclear power plant is completely unacceptable and must be avoided at all costs."

Ukraine has accused the forces of Moscow of storing heavy weaponry in the launching attacks from the plant, which they took over in early March, and continue to occupy. On the other hand, Russia has claimed that the Ukrainian troops are targeting the complex where nuclear power plants are established.