The Russian forces that controlled the region of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant for more than a month were without protection in the most contaminated areas and brought radioactive particles to the buildings used for their accommodation without taking the necessary decontamination measures, Ukraine denounced.
The studies carried out by the Ukrainian authorities after recovering the area revealed that the military were in the so-called Red Forest, the most contaminated area as a result of the 1986 nuclear accident.and then they returned without carrying out adequate cleaning to the areas where they were installed, taking with them highly contaminated dust.
The result is that radiation levels were detected in these facilities slightly above what is considered natural, according to CNN, one of the international media that was able to enter the area.
“They went to the Red Forest and brought radioactive material in their shoes. Other parts are fine, but the radiation increased where they lived,” explained Ukrainian military man Igor Ugolkov, adding that “they went everywhere and took radioactive dust with them” when they left.
A punctual exposure is not dangerous, but the permanence in the place would suppose a danger for the health, indicates the World Nuclear Association.
The Ukrainian authorities thus denounced a “lax” and “reckless” management of Chernobyl by Russia, since Russian radioactivity meters were found that registered levels up to 50 times higher than the values considered normal, the Europa Press news agency reported.
“It’s really crazy. I have no idea why they went” to the Red Forest, “but it is clear that they were there and came back and the radiation levels increased,” Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko said.
One of the nuclear power plant’s reactors exploded in 1986 and a sarcophagus was built over it to contain the radiation, so maintenance is still necessary and continued during the weeks of Russian occupation.
The plant’s staff continued to work under Russian command, although in “difficult conditions”, according to Ukrainian authorities.
“When people are physically and morally exhausted, when they are threatened with weapons and soldiers threaten you on a daily basis, it is really difficult work,” Galushchenko explained.
During the period of Russian control, the 169 members of the Ukrainian National Guard guarding Chernobyl were locked in the Soviet-era nuclear bunker without natural light, ventilation or communication with the outside world, according to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry.
“They spent 30 days without natural light or enough food. They were not allowed to go out and on the last day they were taken without us knowing where,” said a spokesman for the portfolio, Denis Monastirski.
