The Russian military entered highly contaminated areas during the month they controlled Chernobyl

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The 169 members of the National Guard who guarded the nuclear power plant have been taken to Russia as prisoners of war

MADRID, 9 Apr. (EUROPE PRESS) –

The Russian military forces that controlled the region of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant for more than a month penetrated the most contaminated areas with little precaution and brought radioactive particles to the buildings used for their accommodation without taking the necessary decontamination measures.

The studies carried out by the Ukrainian authorities after recovering the area have revealed that the military were in what is known as the Red Forest, the most contaminated area as a result of the 1986 nuclear accident, and then returned without carrying out an adequate cleaning of the areas where they were installed. carrying highly contaminated dust with them.

The result is that radiation levels have been detected in these facilities slightly above what is considered natural, according to CNN, which has already been able to visit the place.

“They went to the Red Forest and brought radioactive material in their shoes. Other parts are fine, but the radiation has increased here because this is where they lived,” Ukrainian military officer Igor Ugolkov told CNN. “They went everywhere and took radioactive dust with them” when they left, Ugolkov added.

Radiation levels are slightly above those considered natural by the World Nuclear Association. An occasional exposure is not dangerous, but staying in place would pose a health hazard.

The Ukrainian authorities have denounced a lax and reckless management of Chernobyl by Russia with full conscience, since Russian radioactivity meters have been found that have registered levels up to 50 times higher than the values ​​considered normal.

“It’s really crazy. I have no idea why they went” to the Red Forest, “but it is clear that they were there and they came back and that the radiation levels have increased,” said Ukrainian Energy Minister German. Galushchenko.

One of the nuclear power plant’s reactors exploded in 1986 and a sarcophagus was built over it to contain the radiation and maintenance is still necessary to prevent new radioactive leaks. “The system needs power supply and a ventilation system,” Galushchenko said.

The plant’s staff continued to work under Russian command. “They were here from the first day of the occupation and they could only be relieved a month later,” Galushchenko explained. “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,” he added.

One of the Chernobyl workers, Volodimir Falshovnik, has also denounced the looting perpetrated by the Russians. “They gave us personnel from Rosatom (the Russian nuclear agency) who visited the warehouses. They stole from them,” he said.

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 Interior, Denis Monastirski. They are probably in Russia where they arrived through Belarusian territory as prisoners of war.