• Ukrainian scientists warn of new risk that 'radioactive substances' could escape
• 'Hydrogen leakage' and high fire hazard are also a danger, Energoatom states
• Putin's army fired shells and rockets at parts of plant once again, Kyiv claims
• Enerhodar residents have been handed iodine tablets in latest radiation fears

Russia was today again accused of shelling Europe's biggest nuclear power plant as the Ukrainian scientists in charge warned that 'radioactive substances' could leak.

Operator Energoatom wrote via Telegram this afternoon that Russian bombing and weapons storage at the site posed 'serious risks' to the Zaporizhzhia power plant.

They wrote: 'Over the past day, the Russian military has repeatedly shelled the site. The damage is currently being investigated.   'As a result of periodic shelling, the infrastructure of the station has been damaged, there are risks of hydrogen leakage and sputtering of radioactive substances, and the fire hazard is high. 

The Ukrainian staff of [Zaporizhzhia] continues to work and make every effort to ensure nuclear and radiation safety.'

As of midday local time, they added, the site 'operates with the risk of violating radiation and fire safety standards'.

'Ukraine calls on the world community to take immediate measures to force Russia to release [Zaporizhzhia] and transfer the power plant to the control of our state for the sake of the security of the whole world.'

Russia accused Ukraine of shelling the plant, claiming 17 missiles were fired by Kyiv forces in the past 24 hours alone.

Kremlin defence spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said: 'The Kyiv regime continues acts of nuclear terrorism at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.'

Both sides' claims remain independently unverified.

Locals in nearby Enerhodar have been prescribed iodine tablets in case radioactive leaks pose a threat to the resident population in the 50,000-strong town.

A mission from the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency is expected to visit next week.

Russia and Ukraine have continued to trade blame for shelling near the plant, which on Thursday sparked fires in the ash pits of a nearby coal power station that disconnected the plant from the power grid for the first time in its 30-year history.........