Russia's State Duma held a special meeting on Thursday to discuss the situation around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine. 

Members called on the UN and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to demand from Ukrainian authorities "an immediate cessation of shelling of the plant," RIA reported.

Russia and Ukraine have been trading accusations against each other over the shelling of one of Europe's largest nuclear power plants.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned earlier that a "catastrophe" at the Russian-controlled plant would threaten the whole of Europe.

Ukraine also called for a permanent mission of nuclear and military experts at the power plant to protect "the security of Europe."