Zelenskyy says Russia's actions at nuclear plant put world on the "brink of radiation catastrophe" in surprise U.N. address

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a surprise remote address on Wednesday during a U.N. Security Council meeting, accusing Russia of putting the world on the "brink of radiation catastrophe" by taking military action near Europe's largest nuclear plant. 

The meeting, which commemorated Ukraine Independence Day and marked six months of war, also included an impassioned plea by the Secretary General to avoid an accident at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. 

The comments come as concerns grow worldwide about the status of the plant and the risk of a devastating accident. Ukraine and Russia have repeatedly accused each other of shelling the plant, and fighting in the area has increased significantly since Russia captured it earlier this year.