Russia blames nuclear power station attack on Ukrainian saboteurs - Interfax

Russia's Defence Ministry has blamed Friday's attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station on Ukrainian saboteurs, according to Russian state run news organisation, Interfax.

The Ministry also described the shelling as a "monstrous provocation".

One of Zaporizhzhia's - Europe's largest power plant - six reactors catching fire as a result of the blast.

Speaking shortly after the incident, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy feared an explosion at Zaporizhzhia would be “the end for everyone. The end for Europe. The evacuation of Europe".

He added: “Only urgent action by Europe can stop the Russian troops. Do not allow the death of Europe from a catastrophe at a nuclear power station.

"Russian people, I want to appeal to you: how is this possible? After all we fought together in 1986 against the Chernobyl catastrophe."

Meanwhile, Downing Street called the situation in Zaporizhzhia “gravely concerning".

The Prime Minister's spokeswoman added: “both leaders (Mr Johnson and Mr Zelenskyy) agreed that Russia must immediately cease its attack on the power station and allow unfettered access for emergency services to the plant.

“The Prime Minister said the reckless actions of President Putin could now directly threaten the safety of all of Europe. He said the UK would do everything it could to ensure the situation did not deteriorate further.

“The Prime Minister said he would be seeking an emergency UN Security Council meeting in the coming hours, and that the UK would raise this issue immediately with Russia and close partners.

“Both leaders agreed a ceasefire was crucial.”