Kyiv: The director general of Ukraine's Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant was detained by Russian patrols on Saturday, according to Energoatom, the state-owned company in charge of the plant. Ihor Murashov was taken into custody at around 4 p.m. Friday on his way from Europe's largest nuclear plant to the city of Enerhodar. (1300 GMT), according to company chief Petro Kotin.

Also Read: US has charged Major and his wife for leaking military health data to Russia

"He was pulled out of the car and blindfolded and driven in an unknown direction," Kotin wrote on the Telegram messaging app. He said that there was no immediate word on the fate of Murashov.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been the focus of Russia's seven-month invasion of Ukraine, with Moscow and Kyiv accusing each other of shelling the facility while threatening a nuclear disaster.

Also Read: Russia-Ukraine conflict is forcing Europe to reverse its climate goals this winter

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the demilitarization of the area around the plant, which employs Ukrainians.

According to Kotin, Murashov "takes primary and sole responsibility for nuclear and radiation safety", and his custody "endangers the safety of the largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine and Europe".

Also Read:France requests international organizations look into the 'Sabotage' of Nord Stream

He urged the Russian military to "immediately cease acts of nuclear terrorism against the plant's management and personnel" and to release Murashov.