Russian Troops Stay in Chernobyl Amid Radiation Exposure... "Walking Around with Boots Covered and Without Protective Gear"

Russian troops are on guard duty in front of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Pripyat, northern Ukraine, on March 7 (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Foreign media reported that the radiation contamination level near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, which was occupied by Russian forces, was higher than usual.

On the 9th (local time), the US CNN broadcast cited Ukrainian authorities saying that Russian troops brought radiation inside buildings in the 'Red Forest' area near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

The 'Red Forest' got its name because the pine trees in the nearby tens of kilometers turned red due to radioactive contamination following the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion.

This area is known as the most contaminated region with radioactive materials within the entire zone where access to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is prohibited, and access is not allowed unless one is a staff member or has special permission.

However, Ukrainian authorities explained that Russian troops conducted operations here without wearing protective gear and were exposed to radiation.

Ukrainian military official Ihor Ugolkov told CNN, "The radiation levels in the places where Russian soldiers lived near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant are higher than usual," adding, "This is because the Russian troops stayed in the Red Forest and brought radioactive materials on their shoes and other items."

Earlier, Energoatom, Ukraine's state nuclear power operator, claimed the possibility of radiation exposure to Russian troops. On the 1st, Energoatom announced, "Information has been confirmed about trenches and fortifications built by Russian troops in the heavily contaminated 'Red Forest'."

Additionally, on the 7th, a video presumed to show Russian troops actually stationed there was released on Telegram. The video, filmed by Ukrainian military drones, showed fortifications and trenches believed to have been dug to fortify the area after Russian troops occupied the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. CNN also reported that the video confirmed disturbed ground caused by tank tracks and troop movements.

Meanwhile, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant was occupied by Russia during the first week of its invasion of Ukraine. It withdrew on the 31st of last month, and the plant is currently under Ukrainian military control.