Fears of ‘new Chernobyl’ as Ukraine vow to attack Russian troops refusing to leave nuclear plant

FEARS of a “new Chernobyl” spiralled yesterday after Ukraine vowed to attack Russian troops refusing to leave a nuclear plant they seized. Atomic energy chiefs warned the risk of a catastrophe at Zaporizhzhia in the country’s south east is “grave” as the invaders defy pleas to demilitarise the danger zone. AFPThe Ukraine president said his soldiers will have no option but to attack them if they continue to fire at civilians[/caption] APRussian troops stormed the site in March[/caption] Ukraine and Russia blame each other for shelling at the huge complex — Europe’s largest atomic power station. Volodymyr Zelensky accused the Russians of “nuclear blackmail” and warned that Mad Vlad Putin’s troops there had become “special targets”. The Ukraine president said his soldiers will have no option but to attack them if they continue to fire at civilians. Russian troops stormed the site in March. Some 500 are now based there as Ukrainian technicians continue to run reactors. READ MORE ON UKRAINE WAR BOOSTER 'NATO-style' weapons delivered to Ukraine as 'one-fifth' of enemy 'destroyed' 'CRUEL SUMMER' Ukraine warns Russians not to visit Crimea in mock ad with Bananarama song Petro Kotin, boss of the firm operating the plant, said 174 containers of radioactive material were in danger of being hit. He warned: “We could have a radiation cloud. The risk is very high.” There are fears a stray shell could cause a nightmare worse than the 1986 Chernobyl disaster 400 miles away which killed at least 31 people and sent a radioactive cloud across Europe. President Zelensky said: “Every Russian soldier who shoots at the plant or shoots using the plant as cover must understand he becomes a special target for our intelligence agents, for our special services, for our army.” Most read in The Sun 'RUBBISH' Ten Hag slams Man Utd flops who IGNORED team talk before Brentford humiliation RED MIST Jamie Redknapp and Gary Neville in FURIOUS Sky Sports bust-up over Man Utd loss ALL TIME LOW Stacey Giggs accuses ex Max George of cheating on her with Maisie Smith BIG HEADACHE Big Breakfast fans all have the same complaint as iconic show returns true bombshell Love Island's Danica Taylor wears eye-popping dress on night out with Jamie cheers to the weekend! Emily Atack shows off her incredible legs as she poses with wine Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, warned: “This is a serious hour — a grave hour.”