Fears are growing of a nuclear disaster after Russian troops began shelling the Ukrainian town where staff working at the Chernobyl plant live.
There are concerns Russian shelling of Ukrainian checkpoints in the city of Slavutych, home Chernobyl nuclear workers, is preventing workers coming in and out of the plant.
And the bombing comes just days after Ukrainian workers who were being held by Russian forces to maintain the nuclear plant for nearly four weeks without being rotated were finally able to go back to their homes in Slavutych.
Staff working at Chernobyl have been held at gunpoint since Russia captured the site on the first day of the invasion on February 24.
The Russian shelling of the city Slavutych means that the Ukrainian staff are not able to rotate in and out of the plant, increasing concerns of a nuclear disaster.
For staff to be protected against any radioactive risks, they must have enough rest and have be confident to make decisions free of pressure - which they currently don't have.
Ukraine said the shelling was putting the nuclear workers "at risk and preventing further rotation of personnel to and from the site".
Meanwhile, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Reafael Grossi, said the incident came "just a few days after technical staff at the Chernobyl (plant) were finally able to rotate and go to their homes in Slavutych and rest after working for nearly four weeks without a change of shift".
G7 leaders have come together this week to warn that Russia's attack on the site in Ukraine could lead to another nuclear catastrophe as Russian forces destroyed a laboratory at the Chernobyl plant that worked to improve management of radioactive waste.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, Reafael Grossi, has also warned of the dangers of the conflict. It is the first to take place in a country with a vast nuclear estate comprising 15 reactors, in addition to Chernobyl.
Mr Grossi said he was prepared to send equipment and staff to ensure the safety of the facilities and "prevent a serious nuclear accident".
He also criticised the fact that an agreement had not yet been reached with Moscow and Kiev despite serious efforts.
And in a joint statement from G7 leaders, the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Canada and Japan they warned: "Russia's attack has already risked the safety and security of nuclear sites in Ukraine.
"Russian military activities are creating extreme risks for the population and the environment, with the potential for catastrophic result."
