Zelensky implores the world to 'wake up' as Russia attacks Europe's largest nuclear plant, addressing 'everyone who knows the word Chernobyl'

In a video shared to Telegram early Friday morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged world leaders and European citizens to do more to avoid a repeat of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

A building fire broke out during a fight between Russian and Ukrainian troops near a nuclear plant. The largest nuclear plant in Europe is here.

"I address all Ukrainians, all Europeans, everyone who knows the wordChernobyl, and everyone who knows how many victims that explosion of a nuclear plant brought," Zelensky said in Ukrainian.

He said that Russia wants to relive it and is already doing it.

The Chernobyl disaster is considered to be the worst nuclear disaster in history. The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant's core was opened and radioactive material was sent into the air. Some nearby residents went on to develop cancer because of the contaminated vegetation and water supply.

Russian and Ukrainian troops were fighting in the area when a fire broke out near the nuclear power plant. Russian forces struck a training building outside of the plant.

Zelensky warned that a disaster at Zaproizhzhia could be worse than Chernobyl. There are six reactors. During the 1986 disaster, Chernobyl had four, but only one exploded.

The Ukrainian president said that Russia is bringing the world closer to nuclear destruction.

Zelensky said in a video that the US and European leaders have been reached for help stopping Russian troops.

After Zelensky shared his video, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Russia must cease its attack on the power station and allow unfettered access for emergency services to the plant.

—Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) March 4, 2022

The US has not detected elevated levels of radiation near Zaproizhzhia. The essential equipment at Zaporizhzhia was not affected by the fire, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

—IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency (@iaeaorg) March 4, 2022

Russian troops took control of Chernobyl last week. Nuclear experts told Insider that they weren't too concerned about a major release of radiation at Chernobyl.