Today's coverage was brought to you by Alys Davies, Aoife Walsh, George Wright, James FitzGerald, Heather Sharp and Alex Therrien.
What's been happening in Ukraine today?
EPACopyright: EPA
The leaders of Turkey, Ukraine and the UN held a press conference after talksImage caption: The leaders of Turkey, Ukraine and the UN held a press conference after talks
We'll be bringing our coverage to today's events in Ukraine to a close soon, but first, here's a look back at some key developments.
The UN chief Antonio Guterres has made his second visit to Ukraine since the war started, meeting President Zelensky as well as Turkey's President Erdogan
The trio discussed efforts to end the war, and the importance of avoiding a nuclear accident at the huge, Zaporizhzhia power plant. Guterres said any damage to the facility would be "suicide" while Erdogan warned of "another Chernobyl"
The plant is under the control of the Russians, who accuse the Ukrainians of endangering it
Employees at the plant issued a plea for support saying artillery strikes were growing heavier and they were "powerless before human irresponsibility and madness"
The warring neighbours have both accused each other of plotting a "provocation" at the plant that would allow one side to blame the other for raising tensions
Zelensky said he and Guterres had agreed the parameters of a possible visit to the plant by a mission from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Explosions hit a military airfield in the annexed peninsula of Crimea on Thursday, according to Reuters news agency. Ukraine has not admitted responsibility for the attack
The death toll in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv has reached 17 after residential buildings were hit in Russian shelling overnight
Explosions hit military airfield in Crimea - reports
Explosions hit an area near a Russian military airport in the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea on Thursday, according to Reuters.
At least four explosions struck the airport of Belbek, north of Sevastopol, the news agency reported, citing three local sources.
Ukraine has not confirmed it was behind the attack and the BBC cannot independently verify the claim.
The explosions follow a string of attacks against Russian military sites and equipment in Crimea over the last week, which Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for.
After one such attack, Ukraine’s defence minister, Oleksiy Reznikov, suggested careless Russian soldiers could be to blame, warning the country's troops to not “smoke in dangerous places”.
Around the time Thursday's attack was reported, Ukraine's defence ministry tweeted "smoking kills" - an apparent reference to Reznikov's apparently tongue-in-cheek remarks.
Russia has also not confirmed Thursday's attack.
The governor of Sevastopol said Russian anti-aircraft forces downed a Ukrainian drone but said no damage had been done.
Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant: How the crisis unfolded
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Russian troops are accused of using the power plant as a military base - but also attacking itImage caption: Russian troops are accused of using the power plant as a military base - but also attacking it
UN chief Antonio Guterres has said he is "gravely concerned" about the nuclear plant in Zaporizhzhia, which is under Russian control.
What's been happening there since the war started?
March 2022: Shortly after invading Ukraine, Russian troops seize the plant, though Ukrainian staff continue with daily operations
July: Russian forces reportedly deploy rocket launchers in the complex, turning it into a military base
3 August: The International Atomic Energy Agency says the plant is "completely out of control", and needs an inspection and repairs
5 August: Ukraine's nuclear agency says two rounds of Russian rocket fire prompted its operators to disconnect a reactor from the power grid
8 August: Ukraine says Russian shelling has damaged three radiation sensors and injured a worker. Local Russian-backed authorities accuse Ukrainian forces of attacking the site
10 August: Foreign ministers from the G7 group of nations say Russia must immediately hand back control of the plant to Ukraine
11 August: More shelling of the plant is reported, with Ukraine and Russia again blaming each other, and employees tell the BBC they're kept at gunpoint
18 August: Russia dismisses a UN proposal by Guterres to demilitarise the area around the plant, as employees at the facility appeal to the world, warning of a potential nuclear catastrophe
'No obstacle' to Zaporizhzhia visit by inspectors - Zelensky
EPACopyright: EPA
The Ukrainian president (left) says he's agreed the parameters of any inspection of the nuclear plant with the UN chief (right)Image caption: The Ukrainian president (left) says he's agreed the parameters of any inspection of the nuclear plant with the UN chief (right)
More from President Zelensky, who's given his nightly video address.
There's "no objective obstacle" to any visit to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), he says.
Both Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of shelling the vast power plant, which is under Russian occupation, risking a nuclear accident.
In his video, Zelensky says it would be possible for IAEA representatives to assess the site having safely travelled via Ukrainian-held territory.
He earlier said he'd agreed the parameters of a potential visit with UN chief Antonio Guterres.
Zelensky says any denial of an IAEA mission by Moscow would mean the Kremlin was "destroying the international order".
Who is sending most military aid to Ukraine?
David Brown
BBC News Visual Journalism Team
New figures suggest that the US is still by far the biggest donor of military aid to Ukraine.
The Kiel Institute for the World Economy says Washington committed to spending more than $25bn between 24 January and 1 July.
The UK has committed the second largest amount, with Poland and Germany third and fourth in the list.
.Copyright: .
The figures do not take into account amounts committed but not actually spent, so it is possible that they don't give a full picture of what help is reaching Ukraine's armed forces.
Separately, the researchers looked at overall aid commitments in July, including financial and humanitarian help to Ukraine.
They said that last month:"Donor countries initiated almost no new aid, but they did deliver some of the already committed support such as weapon systems.”
Russian ammunition depot on fire - local governor
An ammunition depot is on fire near the village of Timonovo in the Belgorod region of Russia, near the border with Ukraine, according to the local governor.
Writing on Telegram, Vyacheslav Gladkov said there were no casualties, but that residents in nearby areas had been evacuated for their own safety.
He added that the cause of the fire is under investigation.
The BBC is unable to verify the incident.
Parameters of possible IAEA mission to nuclear plant agreed - Zelensky
Video content
Video caption: Nuclear watchdog needs access to Ukraine power plant - Ukraine's ambassador to the IAEANuclear watchdog needs access to Ukraine power plant - Ukraine's ambassador to the IAEA
Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelensky says he and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres have agreed the parameters of a possible
mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the
Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
Following talks with Turkey's
leader and Guterres in Lviv,
Zelensky told a news conference Russia should immediately
withdraw its forces and stop shelling from the nuclear power
plant.
He said a possible IAEA visit should be done "legally via territory free from the occupiers".
Ukraine’s representative to the IAEA told the BBC a team of inspectors must be allowed into the facility as soon as possible.
Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk said the best option would be to remove Russian forces and weapons from the site - the largest nuclear complex in Europe - and for Ukrainians to regain full control of the power plant.
Russia must withdraw troops before peace deal can be made - Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ruled out a peace deal with Russia unless it withdraws its troops from Ukraine.
Speaking after talks with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in Lviv, Zelensky told reporters he was "very surprised" to hear from the Turkish leader that Russia was "ready for some kind of peace".
He adds: "First they should leave our territory and then we'll see."
Kharkiv death toll rises to 17 - local governor
Kharkiv Regional State AdministrationCopyright: Kharkiv Regional State Administration
The death toll in Kharkiv, in north-eastern Ukraine, has increased to 17 people after Russian shelling hit a number of residential buildings, according to local governor Oleh Synehubov.
As well as the 10 people who had already been pronounced dead, rescuers have now recovered a further seven bodies from the rubble, Synehubov wrote in a message on Telegram.
Among the dead was a boy born in 2009, he added.
Forty-two people were also injured in the rocket attacks, he said.
Attacks also hit the city of Krasnograd in the Kharkiv region - where a couple were killed and their 12-year-old daughter was seriously injured, Mr Synehubov said.
Analysis
No signs yet of diplomacy resolving war
Hugo Bachega
BBC News, Dnipro
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
The UN and Turkey helped broker the only diplomatic
breakthrough in this war so far - a deal that allowed Ukraine to resume its
exports after a months-long Russian blockade that led to a global food crisis.
Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General, was personally involved in the
negotiations; Turkey is hosting the centre that co-ordinates the deal,
including with inspections of ships.
It’s a delicate arrangement. After meeting the Ukrainian and Turkish
presidents, Guterres urged all sides to continue working “in good faith” for
the deal to hold.
President
Erdogan of Turkey said the grain deal could form the basis for peace talks
between Ukraine and Russia. But few share the enthusiasm. President Zelensky
said negotiations can only start after Russia leaves territory it invaded.
Their
talks in Lviv were overshadowed by the tensions around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear
power plant, hundreds of miles away.
They all expressed concern that the
military activity around the station could result in a catastrophe. There’s
hope diplomacy can solve this crisis too, although there are no signs of it
yet.
Nuclear plant staff warn of potential catastrophe
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Employees of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant have said they are "powerless" in the face of "human irresponsibility and madness".
They've warned of a potential nuclear catastrophe at the facility, saying in the past two weeks it has become "the
target of continuous military attacks".
"Artillery strikes are becoming more and
more powerful and dangerous every time," they say.
The plant, the largest in Europe, has been occupied by Russian forces since March, though its Ukrainian staff have continued with daily operations. The message from the workers does not name either Russia or Ukraine, which have both blamed each other for shelling near the plant.
"Stop and think!... What is happening is horrific and beyond common sense and morality," they write, warning that an accident could be worse than the nuclear disasters at Chernobyl and Fukushima.
"We know how to professionally manage a nuclear reaction, but are powerless
before human irresponsibility and madness," they say.
Ukraine intelligence agency accuses Russia of plotting 'provocation' at nuclear plant
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been occupied by Russian forces since MarchImage caption: The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been occupied by Russian forces since March
Ukraine's main intelligence agency has accused Russia of planning to stage a "provocation" at the Zaporizhzhia power plant.
Moscow wants to "raise the stakes", a Telegram post from the agency alleges. It claims that Russia is planning a terrorist attack at the site which will be blamed on Kyiv.
The plant, the largest in Europe, has been under Russian control since March.
The post says that representatives from the Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear corporation, had suddenly left the site.
Earlier, Russia made its own accusation that Kyiv was plotting an incident which it could blame on Moscow.
Fears mount over Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
Hugo Bachega
BBC News, Kyiv
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
We've been hearing Turkey's President Recep Erodgan and UN chief Antonio Guterres warn about the dangers of the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is accusing Russia of “nuclear blackmail” over tensions at the complex, Europe’s largest.
Officials here claim Russia is creating this crisis to try to force Ukraine and other countries to comply with their conditions.
Ukraine says Russia has deployed around 500 forces to the complex, who are using it as a shield to launch attacks against Ukrainian towns.
Russia, on the other hand, denies the accusations, and says its troops are, in fact, protecting the plant.
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
For days, Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of shelling near the site, fuelling fears of a nuclear catastrophe. It’s hard to independently verify the allegations, as the plant is off limits.
The facility has been under Russian occupation since early March, although Ukrainian technicians still operate it.
Damage to Zaporizhzhia plant would be suicide - UN chief
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
UN chief Antonio Guterres says damage to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine would be "suicide".
Speaking to reporters after talks in Lviv, Guterres says he was "gravely concerned" about the situation at the plant and said it had to be demilitarised.
He says: "We must tell it like it is - any potential damage to Zaporizhzhia is suicide."
Guterres adds the facility must not be used as part of "any military
operation" and that "agreement is urgently needed to re-establish
Zaporizhzhia's purely civilian infrastructure and to ensure the
safety of the area".
Turkish president warns of dangers of 'another Chernobyl'
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the world doesn't want "another Chernobyl", warning of the possibility of a nuclear accident at Zaporizhzhia if conflict there continues.
He's been speaking at a press conference in Lviv, following talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and UN chief Antonio Guterres.
Erdogan says the trio also discussed ways to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
He says they discussed the exchange of prisoners of war
between Ukraine and Russia, and that he would later raise the
issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Turkey has recently acted as a mediator between the two countries, including on the issue of unblocking grain exports from Ukraine's ports.
Moscow's message on nuclear plant - blame Ukraine
Will Vernon
BBC News, Moscow
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
The Russian defence ministry’s statement earlier today can be summarised in two words: Blame Ukraine.
During press briefing at the ministry’s imposing building in central Moscow, Lt-Gen Igor Kirillov, who is head of Russia’s radioactive, chemical and biological defence forces, gave a presentation in which he accused the Ukrainians of endangering the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which Russian forces control.
He claimed the plant's back-up support systems had been damaged as a result of Ukrainian shelling, and that Kyiv was planning a provocation – an “industrial disaster” – at the power plant on Friday, the same day that UN Secretary General Guterres visits the Ukrainian port city of Odesa.
During his presentation, Lt-Gen Kirillov presented a slide that showed how radioactive material would spread over Germany, Poland and Slovakia in the event of an accident at the plant.
We see this kind of narrative almost daily in Russia, both in official statements and on state-controlled TV. Moscow says Ukraine is guilty of everything from shelling civilian areas and committing war crimes, to planning nuclear meltdowns.
At the same time, it fails to mention that it was Russia that invaded Ukraine and occupied its territory, and it is Russian troops that are accused of committing atrocities.
The latest warning is likely more distraction tactics by Moscow. By stressing the risks of a nuclear accident and decrying the alleged “crimes” of the Ukrainian government (as Moscow sees it), the authorities can draw the public’s attention away from the Russian army’s poor performance on the battlefield.
Russian forces have barely seized more than a handful of villages in Ukraine in the last month, whilst casualties are mounting.
UN chief urges Russia and Ukraine to show 'spirit of compromise' over grain shipments
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
UN Secretary General
Antonio Guterres has urged Moscow and Kyiv to show a
"spirit of compromise" and ensure the continued success of the grain deal that enabled the resumption of grain exports from Ukraine.
Speaking at a press conference after talks in Lviv with Ukraine and Turkey's leaders, Guterres tells reporters that 21 ships had departed from Ukrainian ports under the
deal in less than a month, and 15 vessels had left Istanbul for
Ukraine to load up with grain and other food supplies.
He adds: "But it is only the beginning. I urge all parties to ensure
continued success.
"From day one, the parties have worked professionally and in
good faith to keep the food flowing. I appeal for this to
continue and for them to overcome all obstacles in a spirit of
compromise and permanently settle all difficulties."
He also reiterated his plea for the demilitarisation of
the nuclear power plant held by Russian forces in Zaporizhzhia, saying he was gravely concerned
by the situation in and around it.
Russia has dismissed the proposal, claiming it would make the facility "more vulnerable".
Nuclear war not in Russia's interests - spokesman
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
A Russian foreign ministry spokesperson has said that while a clash with the collective West is possible, a direct nuclear conflict with the US and Nato would not be in Russia's interests.
"Russia has never sabre-rattled weapons, especially nuclear weapons. But the events in Ukraine... clearly show that a clash with the collective West is quite real," Ivan Nechayev said, as reported by the Interfax news agency.
Moscow is "committed to the principle that there can be no winners in a nuclear war, and it should never be unleashed", he said.
"Russia, as a nuclear power, will continue to act as responsibly as possible. A direct clash with the US and Nato is not in our interests.
"Russian military doctrine allows a nuclear response only in response to aggression using weapons of mass destruction, or when the very existence of the state is threatened."
Zelensky discusses grain exports with UN secretary general
We're hearing more now from the talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and UN chief Antonio Guterres.
Zelensky says the two leaders discussed grain, after exports from Ukraine resumed this month following a landmark deal brokered by the UN and Turkey.
Tonnes of grain had been stuck in Ukraine because of Russian blockades, leading to shortages and higher food prices in other countries.
"We agreed to continue the coordination of the grain initiative implementation. We also discussed the possible directions of its development," Zelensky says.
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
This ship was loaded with grain for Ethiopia in the port of Yuzhne in the Odesa region on SundayImage caption: This ship was loaded with grain for Ethiopia in the port of Yuzhne in the Odesa region on Sunday
Live Reporting
Edited by Alex Therrien
All times stated are UK
- Ukrainian drone pilots mark targets for new offensives
- Situation at nuclear plant reaches "critical"
- Inspectors need Zaporizhzhia access as soon as possible - ambassador
EPACopyright: EPA The leaders of Turkey, Ukraine and the UN held a press conference after talksImage caption: The leaders of Turkey, Ukraine and the UN held a press conference after talks -
The UN chief Antonio Guterres has made his second visit to Ukraine since the war started, meeting President Zelensky as well as Turkey's President Erdogan
-
The trio discussed efforts to end the war, and the importance of avoiding a nuclear accident at the huge, Zaporizhzhia power plant. Guterres said any damage to the facility would be "suicide" while Erdogan warned of "another Chernobyl"
-
The plant is under the control of the Russians, who accuse the Ukrainians of endangering it
- Employees at the plant issued a plea for support saying artillery strikes were growing heavier and they were "powerless before human irresponsibility and madness"
-
The warring neighbours have both accused each other of plotting a "provocation" at the plant that would allow one side to blame the other for raising tensions
-
Zelensky said he and Guterres had agreed the parameters of a possible visit to the plant by a mission from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
-
Explosions hit a military airfield in the annexed peninsula of Crimea on Thursday, according to Reuters news agency. Ukraine has not admitted responsibility for the attack
-
The death toll in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv has reached 17 after residential buildings were hit in Russian shelling overnight
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images Russian troops are accused of using the power plant as a military base - but also attacking itImage caption: Russian troops are accused of using the power plant as a military base - but also attacking it - March 2022: Shortly after invading Ukraine, Russian troops seize the plant, though Ukrainian staff continue with daily operations
- July: Russian forces reportedly deploy rocket launchers in the complex, turning it into a military base
- 3 August: The International Atomic Energy Agency says the plant is "completely out of control", and needs an inspection and repairs
- 5 August: Ukraine's nuclear agency says two rounds of Russian rocket fire prompted its operators to disconnect a reactor from the power grid
- 8 August: Ukraine says Russian shelling has damaged three radiation sensors and injured a worker. Local Russian-backed authorities accuse Ukrainian forces of attacking the site
- 10 August: Foreign ministers from the G7 group of nations say Russia must immediately hand back control of the plant to Ukraine
- 11 August: More shelling of the plant is reported, with Ukraine and Russia again blaming each other, and employees tell the BBC they're kept at gunpoint
- 18 August: Russia dismisses a UN proposal by Guterres to demilitarise the area around the plant, as employees at the facility appeal to the world, warning of a potential nuclear catastrophe
EPACopyright: EPA The Ukrainian president (left) says he's agreed the parameters of any inspection of the nuclear plant with the UN chief (right)Image caption: The Ukrainian president (left) says he's agreed the parameters of any inspection of the nuclear plant with the UN chief (right) 
.Copyright: . Video caption: Nuclear watchdog needs access to Ukraine power plant - Ukraine's ambassador to the IAEANuclear watchdog needs access to Ukraine power plant - Ukraine's ambassador to the IAEA 
Kharkiv Regional State AdministrationCopyright: Kharkiv Regional State Administration Analysis
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been occupied by Russian forces since MarchImage caption: The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been occupied by Russian forces since March 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
Turkish Presidential Press OfficeCopyright: Turkish Presidential Press Office 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters This ship was loaded with grain for Ethiopia in the port of Yuzhne in the Odesa region on SundayImage caption: This ship was loaded with grain for Ethiopia in the port of Yuzhne in the Odesa region on Sunday
Latest PostThanks for joining us
That's all from us on Ukraine for today, but you can read more in some of our latest stories on the war.
Today's coverage was brought to you by Alys Davies, Aoife Walsh, George Wright, James FitzGerald, Heather Sharp and Alex Therrien.
What's been happening in Ukraine today?
We'll be bringing our coverage to today's events in Ukraine to a close soon, but first, here's a look back at some key developments.
Explosions hit military airfield in Crimea - reports
Explosions hit an area near a Russian military airport in the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea on Thursday, according to Reuters.
At least four explosions struck the airport of Belbek, north of Sevastopol, the news agency reported, citing three local sources.
Ukraine has not confirmed it was behind the attack and the BBC cannot independently verify the claim.
The explosions follow a string of attacks against Russian military sites and equipment in Crimea over the last week, which Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for.
After one such attack, Ukraine’s defence minister, Oleksiy Reznikov, suggested careless Russian soldiers could be to blame, warning the country's troops to not “smoke in dangerous places”.
Around the time Thursday's attack was reported, Ukraine's defence ministry tweeted "smoking kills" - an apparent reference to Reznikov's apparently tongue-in-cheek remarks.
Russia has also not confirmed Thursday's attack.
The governor of Sevastopol said Russian anti-aircraft forces downed a Ukrainian drone but said no damage had been done.
Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant: How the crisis unfolded
UN chief Antonio Guterres has said he is "gravely concerned" about the nuclear plant in Zaporizhzhia, which is under Russian control.
What's been happening there since the war started?
'No obstacle' to Zaporizhzhia visit by inspectors - Zelensky
More from President Zelensky, who's given his nightly video address.
There's "no objective obstacle" to any visit to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), he says.
Both Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of shelling the vast power plant, which is under Russian occupation, risking a nuclear accident.
In his video, Zelensky says it would be possible for IAEA representatives to assess the site having safely travelled via Ukrainian-held territory.
He earlier said he'd agreed the parameters of a potential visit with UN chief Antonio Guterres.
Zelensky says any denial of an IAEA mission by Moscow would mean the Kremlin was "destroying the international order".
Who is sending most military aid to Ukraine?
David Brown
BBC News Visual Journalism Team
New figures suggest that the US is still by far the biggest donor of military aid to Ukraine.
The Kiel Institute for the World Economy says Washington committed to spending more than $25bn between 24 January and 1 July.
The UK has committed the second largest amount, with Poland and Germany third and fourth in the list.
The figures do not take into account amounts committed but not actually spent, so it is possible that they don't give a full picture of what help is reaching Ukraine's armed forces.
Separately, the researchers looked at overall aid commitments in July, including financial and humanitarian help to Ukraine.
They said that last month:"Donor countries initiated almost no new aid, but they did deliver some of the already committed support such as weapon systems.”
Russian ammunition depot on fire - local governor
An ammunition depot is on fire near the village of Timonovo in the Belgorod region of Russia, near the border with Ukraine, according to the local governor.
Writing on Telegram, Vyacheslav Gladkov said there were no casualties, but that residents in nearby areas had been evacuated for their own safety.
He added that the cause of the fire is under investigation.
The BBC is unable to verify the incident.
Parameters of possible IAEA mission to nuclear plant agreed - Zelensky
Video content
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres have agreed the parameters of a possible mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
Following talks with Turkey's leader and Guterres in Lviv, Zelensky told a news conference Russia should immediately withdraw its forces and stop shelling from the nuclear power plant.
He said a possible IAEA visit should be done "legally via territory free from the occupiers".
Ukraine’s representative to the IAEA told the BBC a team of inspectors must be allowed into the facility as soon as possible.
Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk said the best option would be to remove Russian forces and weapons from the site - the largest nuclear complex in Europe - and for Ukrainians to regain full control of the power plant.
Russia must withdraw troops before peace deal can be made - Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ruled out a peace deal with Russia unless it withdraws its troops from Ukraine.
Speaking after talks with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in Lviv, Zelensky told reporters he was "very surprised" to hear from the Turkish leader that Russia was "ready for some kind of peace".
He adds: "First they should leave our territory and then we'll see."
Kharkiv death toll rises to 17 - local governor
The death toll in Kharkiv, in north-eastern Ukraine, has increased to 17 people after Russian shelling hit a number of residential buildings, according to local governor Oleh Synehubov.
As well as the 10 people who had already been pronounced dead, rescuers have now recovered a further seven bodies from the rubble, Synehubov wrote in a message on Telegram.
Among the dead was a boy born in 2009, he added.
Forty-two people were also injured in the rocket attacks, he said.
Attacks also hit the city of Krasnograd in the Kharkiv region - where a couple were killed and their 12-year-old daughter was seriously injured, Mr Synehubov said.
No signs yet of diplomacy resolving war
Hugo Bachega
BBC News, Dnipro
The UN and Turkey helped broker the only diplomatic breakthrough in this war so far - a deal that allowed Ukraine to resume its exports after a months-long Russian blockade that led to a global food crisis.
Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General, was personally involved in the negotiations; Turkey is hosting the centre that co-ordinates the deal, including with inspections of ships.
It’s a delicate arrangement. After meeting the Ukrainian and Turkish presidents, Guterres urged all sides to continue working “in good faith” for the deal to hold.
President Erdogan of Turkey said the grain deal could form the basis for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. But few share the enthusiasm. President Zelensky said negotiations can only start after Russia leaves territory it invaded.
Their talks in Lviv were overshadowed by the tensions around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, hundreds of miles away.
They all expressed concern that the military activity around the station could result in a catastrophe. There’s hope diplomacy can solve this crisis too, although there are no signs of it yet.
Nuclear plant staff warn of potential catastrophe
Employees of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant have said they are "powerless" in the face of "human irresponsibility and madness".
They've warned of a potential nuclear catastrophe at the facility, saying in the past two weeks it has become "the target of continuous military attacks".
"Artillery strikes are becoming more and more powerful and dangerous every time," they say.
The plant, the largest in Europe, has been occupied by Russian forces since March, though its Ukrainian staff have continued with daily operations. The message from the workers does not name either Russia or Ukraine, which have both blamed each other for shelling near the plant.
Some of the facility's 10,000 staff are being injured or killed at work, they add, in the appeal published on the Telegram messaging app.
"Stop and think!... What is happening is horrific and beyond common sense and morality," they write, warning that an accident could be worse than the nuclear disasters at Chernobyl and Fukushima.
"We know how to professionally manage a nuclear reaction, but are powerless before human irresponsibility and madness," they say.
Ukraine intelligence agency accuses Russia of plotting 'provocation' at nuclear plant
Ukraine's main intelligence agency has accused Russia of planning to stage a "provocation" at the Zaporizhzhia power plant.
Moscow wants to "raise the stakes", a Telegram post from the agency alleges. It claims that Russia is planning a terrorist attack at the site which will be blamed on Kyiv.
The plant, the largest in Europe, has been under Russian control since March.
The post says that representatives from the Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear corporation, had suddenly left the site.
Earlier, Russia made its own accusation that Kyiv was plotting an incident which it could blame on Moscow.
Fears mount over Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
Hugo Bachega
BBC News, Kyiv
We've been hearing Turkey's President Recep Erodgan and UN chief Antonio Guterres warn about the dangers of the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is accusing Russia of “nuclear blackmail” over tensions at the complex, Europe’s largest.
Officials here claim Russia is creating this crisis to try to force Ukraine and other countries to comply with their conditions.
Ukraine says Russia has deployed around 500 forces to the complex, who are using it as a shield to launch attacks against Ukrainian towns.
Russia, on the other hand, denies the accusations, and says its troops are, in fact, protecting the plant.
For days, Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of shelling near the site, fuelling fears of a nuclear catastrophe. It’s hard to independently verify the allegations, as the plant is off limits.
The facility has been under Russian occupation since early March, although Ukrainian technicians still operate it.
They’re working under pressure, and there are claims some have been detained, tortured and beaten.
Damage to Zaporizhzhia plant would be suicide - UN chief
UN chief Antonio Guterres says damage to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine would be "suicide".
Speaking to reporters after talks in Lviv, Guterres says he was "gravely concerned" about the situation at the plant and said it had to be demilitarised.
He says: "We must tell it like it is - any potential damage to Zaporizhzhia is suicide."
Guterres adds the facility must not be used as part of "any military operation" and that "agreement is urgently needed to re-establish Zaporizhzhia's purely civilian infrastructure and to ensure the safety of the area".
Turkish president warns of dangers of 'another Chernobyl'
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the world doesn't want "another Chernobyl", warning of the possibility of a nuclear accident at Zaporizhzhia if conflict there continues.
He's been speaking at a press conference in Lviv, following talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and UN chief Antonio Guterres.
Erdogan says the trio also discussed ways to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
He says they discussed the exchange of prisoners of war between Ukraine and Russia, and that he would later raise the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Turkey has recently acted as a mediator between the two countries, including on the issue of unblocking grain exports from Ukraine's ports.
Moscow's message on nuclear plant - blame Ukraine
Will Vernon
BBC News, Moscow
The Russian defence ministry’s statement earlier today can be summarised in two words: Blame Ukraine.
During press briefing at the ministry’s imposing building in central Moscow, Lt-Gen Igor Kirillov, who is head of Russia’s radioactive, chemical and biological defence forces, gave a presentation in which he accused the Ukrainians of endangering the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which Russian forces control.
He claimed the plant's back-up support systems had been damaged as a result of Ukrainian shelling, and that Kyiv was planning a provocation – an “industrial disaster” – at the power plant on Friday, the same day that UN Secretary General Guterres visits the Ukrainian port city of Odesa.
During his presentation, Lt-Gen Kirillov presented a slide that showed how radioactive material would spread over Germany, Poland and Slovakia in the event of an accident at the plant.
We see this kind of narrative almost daily in Russia, both in official statements and on state-controlled TV. Moscow says Ukraine is guilty of everything from shelling civilian areas and committing war crimes, to planning nuclear meltdowns.
At the same time, it fails to mention that it was Russia that invaded Ukraine and occupied its territory, and it is Russian troops that are accused of committing atrocities.
The latest warning is likely more distraction tactics by Moscow. By stressing the risks of a nuclear accident and decrying the alleged “crimes” of the Ukrainian government (as Moscow sees it), the authorities can draw the public’s attention away from the Russian army’s poor performance on the battlefield.
Russian forces have barely seized more than a handful of villages in Ukraine in the last month, whilst casualties are mounting.
UN chief urges Russia and Ukraine to show 'spirit of compromise' over grain shipments
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged Moscow and Kyiv to show a "spirit of compromise" and ensure the continued success of the grain deal that enabled the resumption of grain exports from Ukraine.
Speaking at a press conference after talks in Lviv with Ukraine and Turkey's leaders, Guterres tells reporters that 21 ships had departed from Ukrainian ports under the deal in less than a month, and 15 vessels had left Istanbul for Ukraine to load up with grain and other food supplies.
He adds: "But it is only the beginning. I urge all parties to ensure continued success.
"From day one, the parties have worked professionally and in good faith to keep the food flowing. I appeal for this to continue and for them to overcome all obstacles in a spirit of compromise and permanently settle all difficulties."
He also reiterated his plea for the demilitarisation of the nuclear power plant held by Russian forces in Zaporizhzhia, saying he was gravely concerned by the situation in and around it.
Russia has dismissed the proposal, claiming it would make the facility "more vulnerable".
Nuclear war not in Russia's interests - spokesman
A Russian foreign ministry spokesperson has said that while a clash with the collective West is possible, a direct nuclear conflict with the US and Nato would not be in Russia's interests.
"Russia has never sabre-rattled weapons, especially nuclear weapons. But the events in Ukraine... clearly show that a clash with the collective West is quite real," Ivan Nechayev said, as reported by the Interfax news agency.
Moscow is "committed to the principle that there can be no winners in a nuclear war, and it should never be unleashed", he said.
"Russia, as a nuclear power, will continue to act as responsibly as possible. A direct clash with the US and Nato is not in our interests.
"Russian military doctrine allows a nuclear response only in response to aggression using weapons of mass destruction, or when the very existence of the state is threatened."
Zelensky discusses grain exports with UN secretary general
We're hearing more now from the talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and UN chief Antonio Guterres.
Zelensky says the two leaders discussed grain, after exports from Ukraine resumed this month following a landmark deal brokered by the UN and Turkey.
Tonnes of grain had been stuck in Ukraine because of Russian blockades, leading to shortages and higher food prices in other countries.
"We agreed to continue the coordination of the grain initiative implementation. We also discussed the possible directions of its development," Zelensky says.