The UN secretary general has told Sky News that Russian forces should leave the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and warned Russia against any attempt to steal Ukrainian electricity.
Speaking during a visit to the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, Antonio Guterres said: “If you demilitarise, as we propose, the plant, the problem will be solved.”
Ukraine news live: ‘Nuclear disaster’ fears as Russia tells workers ‘to not show up’
Russia has rejected any suggestion of demilitarisation.
The Zaporizhzhia site is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and has been occupied by Russian military forces since March. It sits right on the southern frontlines.
In recent days it has come under shelling with both sides blaming each other.
International fears of a nuclear disaster are growing but attempts to get access for independent inspectors have so far failed.
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On Thursday, Kyiv and Moscow both claimed the other side was planning a “provocation” at the site, and reports emerged that workers at the site had been given an impromptu day off today, raising fears of an attack on the plant.
Experts say the risk of an explosion, similar to that at the Ukrainian city of Chernobyl in the 1980s, is extremely low, but the possibility of a radiation leak is concerning if fighting continues.
Read more:
What are the risks of a nuclear accident in Ukraine?
On Friday there were also fresh reports that Russia was preparing to shut down the plant in preparation for connecting it to the Russia power grid.
The United Nations secretary general said that must not happen.
“Obviously the electricity from Zaporizhzhia is Ukrainian electricity and it’s necessary especially during the winter for the Ukrainian people. This principle must be fully respected,” said Mr Guterres.
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