Russia has claimed that its proposed safety zone around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

Russia has claimed that its proposed safety zone around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was to “stop Ukrainian shelling”.

Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova made the comments this morning, Qazet.az reports according to Reuters.

Both sides have accused each other of shelling the plant, which is Europe’s biggest nuclear power station. There are fears the attacks could cause a nuclear accident.

Russia seized it shortly after its invasion in February. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) watchdog has called for a demilitarised safety zone around the plant.