Ukraine, Russia trade blame over nuclear plant shelling
Kyiv and Moscow traded accusations of shelling on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant that Russia controls in southern Ukraine.
The UN atomic watchdog that has a team of experts at the plant -- the biggest nuclear facility in Europe -- said "powerful explosions" had occurred.
Kyiv "does not stop its provocations aiming at creating the threat of a man-made catastrophe at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant", the Russian army said in a statement.
Despite the shelling, radiation levels "remain normal", the army added.
It said missiles exploded around a power line that feeds the plant, the fourth and fifth power units and "special building number 2".
Ukrainian nuclear energy agency Energoatom said shortly after that Russia was behind the explosions.
"As a result of numerous Russian shelling, at least 12 hits were recorded on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant," Energoatom said.
It accused Russia of "once again... putting the whole world at risk".
"The news... is extremely disturbing. Explosions occurred at the site of this major nuclear power plant, which is completely unacceptable," UN atomic watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said in a statement.
He added that the damage to buildings, systems and equipment recorded so far was not "critical".
Moscow and Kyiv have traded blame for months over shelling near the Russian-held facility, sparking fears of a nuclear disaster and spurring calls to demilitarise areas around atomic facilities in Ukraine.
