New imagery shows Russian forces have established sandbag fighting positions on the roofs of several of the six reactor buildings at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in Ukraine, the UK’s ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodward, told a Security Council meeting.

“This indicates they have integrated the actual reactor buildings into tactical defence planning,” Woodward said, adding that unauthorised military vehicles and stores are sitting in turbine halls and landmines in the vicinity of the station, close to the frontline in southern Ukraine, endanger Ukrainian operating staff and delay maintenance work.

“Russia’s control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in Ukraine is illegal and continues to pose a serious threat to the facility’s safe and secure functioning,” Woodward said.