Russia has fired missiles towards a nuclear reactor, it is claimed, as experts warn their actions could result in a radiation catastrophe in Ukraine.
Forces fired unguided rockets at the US-funded $70million Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology, which houses a reactor for research purposes, Emine Dzheppar, Ukraine's deputy minister for foreign affairs, said today.
The reactor is not as big as those found at power plants but if damaged would still pose a danger.
Ms Dzheppar said: "The Russian aggressor fired hail at the Institute's territory, where the Neutron Source nuclear facility is located, with 37 nuclear fuel cells loaded into its core.
"Destruction of a nuclear installation and storage facilities for nuclear materials can lead to a large-scale environmental catastrophe."
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Kharkiv, in north-eastern Ukraine near the Russian border, has been destroyed during a days-long siege.
It comes just days after Putin's forces bombarded Europe's second largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine, which houses six of the country's 15 reactors.
Their actions started a fire, with Russian troops taking control of the facility.
After the attack, authorities released footage from inside the control room which shows an announcer pleading with Russian soldiers to stop.
"Stop shooting at a nuclear dangerous facility. Stop shooting immediately! You threaten the security of the whole world!" they can be heard shouting.
"The work of the vital organs of the Zaporizhzhia station may be disrupted. It will be impossible for us to restore it.
"You are endangering the security of the entire world. Attention! Stop shooting at a nuclear hazardous facility. Stop shooting at a nuclear hazardous facility! Stop shooting at a nuclear hazardous facility! Attention! Stop it!"
In addition to Kharkiv and Zapoizhzhia Russian troops are 20 miles from the country's second largest nuclear plant.
While the reactors are well protected damage to the cooling infrastructure could result in significant radiation discharge.
Last week, intense fighting Russia seized Chernobyl, the site of the world's worst ever nuclear disaster.
The 1986 meltdown saw the plant encased in a giant concrete and steel sarcophagus.
Monitoring has not recorded any increase in radiation on day 11 of the invasion.
The west watched Russia's reckless actions in horror.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's chief advisor Michael Podolyak said Putin was "blackmailing the world".
UN ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said: "Russian forces are now 20 miles, and closing, from Ukraine’s second-largest nuclear facility.
"This imminent danger continues.
"Nuclear facilities cannot become part of this conflict. Mr Putin must stop this madness, and he must stop it now."
Across the course of the invasion Ukrainians say they have killed 11,000 Russian troops, downed dozens of aircraft and blow up hundreds of tanks and vehicles.
Ukraine says it has lost scores of soldiers but 2,000 civilians, with 1.5 million refugees fleeing.
But there is uncertainty over the numbers of soldiers killed, with Moscow claiming their death toll was far less while Ukraine's was far higher – claiming 3,000 Ukrainian troops had died.
