For weeks, rocket and mortar attacks near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Russian-occupied Ukraine have raised fears of a potential radioactive disaster, prompting diplomats, world leaders and even Pope Francis to plead for calm.

Russian forces control the plant, which remains connected to Ukraine’s power grid. In recent days, the crisis has intensified, with renewed shelling injuring at least 10 people Sunday. A power outage at the plant last week also fueled global concern about a possible nuclear meltdown.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a calamity at the plant was only averted after emergency backup systems — including diesel generators — were activated. “Russia has put Ukraine and all Europeans in a situation one step away from a radiation disaster,” he said.

Moscow and Kyiv have each blamed the other for the deteriorating situation at Zaporizhzhia. But in a potential sign of progress, a team from the International Atomic Energy Agency arrived at the plant Thursday to carry out an inspection, even as shelling in the area continued.

U.N. nuclear agency heads to Zaporizhzhia as attacks raise fear of disaster

Warnings of attack on Ukraine nuclear plant set the world on edge

Here’s what to know about the Zaporizhzhia plant and the risks of fighting there:

The latest: Grain shipments from Ukraine are gathering pace under the agreement hammered out by Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations in July. Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea ports had sent food prices soaring and raised fears of more hunger in the Middle East and Africa. At least 18 ships, including loads of wheat, corn and sunflower oil, have departed.

The fight: The conflict on the ground grinds on as Russia uses its advantage in heavy artillery to pummel Ukrainian forces, which have sometimes been able to put up stiff resistance. In the south, Ukrainian hopes rest on liberating the Russia-occupied Kherson region, and ultimately Crimea, seized by Russia in 2014. Fears of a disaster at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station remain as both sides accuse each other of shelling it.

The weapons: Western supplies of weapons are helping Ukraine slow Russian advances. U.S.-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) allow Ukrainian forces to strike farther behind Russian lines against Russian artillery. Russia has used an array of weapons against Ukraine, some of which have drawn the attention and concern of analysts.

Photos: Washington Post photographers have been on the ground from the very beginning of the war — here’s some of their most powerful work.

How you can help: Here are ways those in the U.S. can help support the Ukrainian people as well as what people around the world have been donating.

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