Russian troops in Chernobyl killed 9, kidnapped 5 and looted a power plant – World News
Russian soldiers at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Pripyat also demolished almost all of the site’s firefighting equipment and destroyed 698 priceless computers
Russian forces have reportedly completely decimated the Chernobyl power plant during their five-week occupation of the nuclear site.
In addition to destroying 698 computers, 344 vehicles and 1,500 radiation dosimeters, the troops also killed nine Ukrainians and kidnapped another five. reported the Washington Post.
Russian soldiers also destroyed almost all of the firefighting equipment at the site and vandalized numerous pieces of irreplaceable software.
Officials are still trying to determine the extent of the damage to the site and what it means for Chernobyl and the surrounding area in terms of nuclear contamination.
Since the beginning of their invasion, Russian forces have been accused of ruthlessly shelling the facility and “digging in” defensive positions within the exclusion zone, potentially spreading radioactive soil upon exit.
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Agency Anadolu via Getty Images)
There were also reports of Russian soldiers suffering from radiation poisoning after being stationed at the power plant.
Chernobyl was the scene of the worst nuclear disaster in history in 1986 and has been under strict government control to curb radiation ever since. An exclusion zone of approximately 1,000 square miles will be established around the site to restrict access to hazardous areas and reduce the spread of radioactive contamination.
Now experts are assessing the consequences of violation of security measures by Russian troops and careless access to the premises. Reuters reported that Russian forces without proper protective equipment ventured into the highly toxic “Red Forest” zone and kicked up radioactive dust with their heavy armored vehicles.
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Agency Anadolu via Getty Images)
Nuclear experts assume that troops could have caused serious internal damage by inhaling the radioactive dust. Much remains to be seen regarding the general concern for the safety of Ukrainians following the Russian occupation of Chernobyl.
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“I can’t say they caused any harm to humanity, but certainly great economic damage to Ukraine,” said Mykola Bespaly, 58, director of the site’s central analytical laboratory. Although it no longer produces electricity, prior to the invasion, the power station employed around 6,000 workers to oversee the lasting effects of the nuclear disaster that struck there more than 35 years ago.
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Agency Anadolu via Getty Images)
Chernobyl was one of the first major strategic targets targeted by Russian troops after their invasion began on February 24.
“I think that at the time they came,” Kramarenko said, “they planned to be there permanently, they planned to take control for a long time.”
In the end, Russian troops occupied the site for only five weeks and left on April 1.
The cost of the damage at the site is estimated at around £107 million.
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https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/russian-forces-chernobyl-killed-9-27136555 Russian troops in Chernobyl killed 9, kidnapped 5 and looted a power plant - World News
