Radiation levels in Chernobyl spike after Russian troops seize site of world’s biggest nuclear disaster, Ukraine warns

RADIATION in the Chernobyl nuclear exclusion zone has grown frighteningly out of control after Russian troops invaded the area, Ukraine has warned.

Putin’s men took control of the historic site on Thursdayprovided that the nuclear storage facilities were “unknown” at the time.

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But data from the exclusion zone’s automated radiation monitoring system now shows that control levels of gamma radiation dose rates have exceeded safe levels.

Ukraine’s State Nuclear Regulatory Authority has blamed the spike on “disorder” caused by overrun Russian forces.

They said “a large amount of heavy military equipment passed through the exclusion zone” disturbed the topsoil in the sensitive area.

They warned that it had led to “the release of contaminated fallout into the air” – amid earlier fears that toxic soot could spread a deadly dust cloud over the whole of Europe.

It comes as:

The interior ministry said the situation was “not serious” for Kyiv at the moment, which is located about 20 kilometers from the disaster area.

But they warn that they are closely monitoring an increase as the conflict continues.

The statement added that “at present it is not possible to determine the reason for the change in the radiation background in the exclusion zone because of occupation and military combat on this territory.”

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov confirmed the level is still normal.

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He said paratroopers were guarding the plant to prevent any possible “provocative actions”.

It comes shortly after Ukraine announced Russian forces had taken workers at the former nuclear power plant hostage after a “fierce” battle.

The president’s office fears its enemies may be preparing to provoke the nuclear power plant or “use the damage received in the attack to blame Ukraine.”

Ukraine’s foreign ministry said coldly that the Russian attack “could cause another ecological disaster”.

Chernobyl “could happen again in 2022” if the war continues, it said.

The April 1986 reactor explosion and fires that have killed at least 31 people and spewed a huge cloud of radioactive particles into the air.

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It blew across Europe and rained down thousands of square miles.

The Chernobyl site is still protected by a large restricted area, which can only be visited for short periods of time to avoid high doses of radiation.

Last month Ukraine sent reinforcements to this area fear that the defunct nuclear plant could be Putin’s target.

Jack Keane, a former US Army chief of staff, said Chernobyl had “no military significance”, but was based on the shortest route from Belarus to Kyiv.

It is feared that the siege was staged as part of Putin’s plan to capture the capital as part of a “killing generals” strategy to take over.

US intelligence is now afraid Putin can topple Kyiv in just 96 hours.

Uncanny footage from Thursday showed victorious Russian soldiers standing guard in front of the reactor in tanks and armored vehicles.

‘FEAR’

The International Atomic Energy Agency said it was monitoring ongoing events with “serious concern”.

They called on the warring nations to avoid any action that would put any of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities at risk.

“After the completely senseless attack by the Russians in this direction, it cannot be said that the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is safe,” said Ukrainian presidential adviser Myhailo Podolyak.

Estimated 190,000 Russian troops were deployed in and around Ukraine when the invasion began in the early hours of Thursday.

But Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said the Kremlin “didn’t fulfill any of its major goals” after faced much stiffer resistance than expected.

Ukraine claims it killed or captured 800 troops, destroyed 30 tanks and shot down seven fighter jets as its forces waged a bloody resistance against the Russians.

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