Today Ukraine says Russian missile struck close to nuclear plant

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) A Russian missile hit three reactors near a nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine without damage but struck other industrial equipment, in what Ukrainian officials condemned Monday as an act of nuclear terrorism.

   The attack came after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of further attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure as his forces faced a humiliating battlefield.

   The missile struck 300 meters (328 yards) from the Pvdnoukrensk nuclear plant, known as the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant, according to Ukrainian nuclear operator Energotom.

   Black and white CCTV footage released by Ukraine's defense ministry shows two fireballs erupting in the dark in quick succession, followed by a flurry of sparks.  The time stamp on the video reads 19 minutes after midnight.

   Both the ministry and Energoatom called the strikes nuclears terrorisms.  The Russians Defense Ministry does not immediately respond.  The UN's nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the attack.

   It is Ukraine's second largest nuclear power plant after the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, and has suffered frequent fires during the war.  Both plants have reactor of the same designs.

   Russian forces have occupied the Zaporizhia plant since the start of their nearly seven-month invasion of Moscow.  Repeated shelling cut its transmission lines, forcing operators to shut down six reactors to prevent a radiation disaster.  Russia and Ukraine have claimed responsibility for the attacks.