Russian paratroopers now have Europe‘s largest nuclear power plant in their hands after an airborne operation today at the same time as Ukrainian forces were in areas from which they were expecting a convoy of Russian ground forces.

The occupation of the plant was confirmed by the head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, who said in a statement that Russian diplomats in Vienna have informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that staff are continuing their work and that radiation levels remain normal.

The Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant is the largest power plant in Europe and has six of Ukraine‘s 15 nuclear power reactors, according to the announcement.

At the same time, several videos circulating on social media show some Ukrainian citizens blocking the roads leading to the nuclear power plant.

Indeed, another video shows Ukrainians building improvised barricades in the town of Energodar, where the Zaporizhzhya factory is located.

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Earlier on Wednesday morning, about 20 helicopters with Russian paratroopers had flown from the Mikolayiv region to the town of Voznesensk, where the nuclear power plant is located