World leaders have accused Russia of endangering the safety of an entire continent after carrying out the attack.
The shelling that sparked a fire at one of its six reactors raised fears of a disaster that could affect all of central Europe for decades, like the 1986 Chernobyl meltdown.
Authorities say the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the eastern city of Enerhodar is now safe, the fire has been extinguished radiation levels are normal and there have been “no victims”.
The power plant is now in the hands of the Russians.
Following the attack, Prime Minister Boris Johnson phoned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and vowed to seek an emergency UN Security Council meeting in a bid for a ceasefire.
Downing Street called the situation in Zaporizhzhia “gravely concerning”.
“The prime minister said the reckless actions of President Putin could now directly threaten the safety of all of Europe. He said the UK would do everything it could to ensure the situation did not deteriorate further.
“The prime minister said he would be seeking an emergency UN Security Council meeting in the coming hours, and that the UK would raise this issue immediately with Russia and close partners.
“Both leaders agreed a ceasefire was crucial.”
The attack on the nuclear plant came as the invasion entered its second week and another round of talks between Russia and Ukraine yielded a tentative agreement to set up safe corridors to evacuate citizens and deliver humanitarian aid.
Several hours later, Ukrainian emergency services announced on social media that the fire had been extinguished.
Firefighters added that the blaze had been in the educational and training building of the plant and no one was harmed.
