U.N. Security Council warned of 'very alarming' situation at Russian-occupied Ukraine nuclear plant

The leader of one of the world's top nuclear advocacy groups warned the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that Russian military presence near a major power plant in Ukraine could have significant worldwide consequences in the form of a "nuclear catastrophe."

Mariano Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told the UN Security Council that Russia's military actions near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant "could lead to very serious consequences,” according to UN News. 

The plant has reportedly been subject to military shelling during Russia's ongoing offensive in Ukraine. Those bombings reportedly "caused several explosions near the electrical switchboard and a power shutdown."

"One reactor unit was disconnected from the electrical grid, triggering its emergency protection system and setting generators into operation to ensure power supply," UN News said.

“This is a serious hour, a grave hour, and the IAEA must be allowed to conduct its mission in Zaporizhzhia as soon as possible," Grossi said during the address to the security council.