Russian soldiers accused of kidnapping the director general of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

• Ukraine has accused the Russian military of kidnapping the director general of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
• Russian forces allegedly blindfolded Ihor Murashov on Friday and forced him into a car.

Ukraine's nuclear power provider Energoatom has accused the Russian military of kidnapping the director general of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

According to a statement on Telegram, Russian forces blindfolded Ihor Murashov on Friday and forced him into a car.

It is unclear where Murashov has been taken, and Energoatom has said they have no idea of his fate.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "this crime is yet another act of the state terrorism by Russia, and it represents a grave violation of international law. Russia must immediately release the Director General of the ZNPP."

The head of Energoatom said Russia wants to transfer the power plant to the Russian energy firm Rosatom, reported The Guardian.

Petron Kotin told BBC News that the Russians are trying to make plant personnel sign new deals.

The alleged kidnapping occurred the day after Putin signed decrees annexing four Ukrainian regions, including Zaporizhzhia.

The Zaporizhzhia plant is the largest in Europe and has been occupied by Russian troops since early March. Shelling around the plant — for which Kyiv and Moscow have traded blame — previously caused damage to the exterior of buildings, triggered power disconnections, and caused a partial power shutdown.

Western intelligence has blamed Russia for using the plant's protected status as a shield, leaving Ukraine reluctant to attack. International watchdogs and governments have cautioned that hostilities could spark a major nuclear disaster.