Although, officially, fewer than 50 people died as a direct result of Chornobyl, a figure that scientists and environmental groups contest this number. The 1986 disaster at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant near the northern Ukrainian city of Pripyat is considered the worst on record given the evacuation of more than 100,000 people living within nearly 19 miles, and resulting radiation detected across Europe, according to NBC News.

These statements have caused growing international fear that a nuclear disaster may be imminent as Ukraine's fight against Russia continues. 'I'm extremely concerned by the shelling at Europe's largest nuclear power plant, which underlines the very real risk of a nuclear disaster that could threaten public health and the environment in Ukraine and beyond,' Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said in a statement. NBC New York has not verified claims from either side. Ukrainian state nuclear agency, Energoatom, quoted a Russian major-general saying that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant had been mined and that 'there will be either Russian land or a scorched desert.' The Russian Defense Ministry alleges that it was Ukrainian artillery launched from a nearby town that damaged the plant. Ukraine, who claims Russian shelling hit the power plant on Friday and Saturday, has called for the site to be demilitarized, NBC News reports. Russia and Ukraine have traded accusations over who attacked Europe's biggest nuclear power plant.

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