Russian soldiers occupying the site around the old Chernobyl nuclear power plant are said to have driven with tanks through a highly toxic zone, the ‘Red Forest’, without any protection. That writes the Reuters news agency based on statements by two site employees.
By driving around the area in this way, the tanks create radioactive dust clouds. The ‘Red Forest’ is the most radioactive part of Chernobyl.
Since the beginning of the war, there have been several incidents around the old nuclear power plant. Ukraine has therefore asked the United Nations Security Council for a special security zone around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. A special UN mission should take control there, it sounds.
Ukraine believes that as far as nuclear safety is concerned, the “irresponsible and unprofessional actions of the Russian military” pose a serious threat “to Ukraine and hundreds of millions of Europeans”.
According to the Ukrainians, Russian troops have stored large amounts of ammunition in the vicinity of the nuclear reactor. In addition, large forest fires have broken out in the area around the reactor, which could have serious consequences.
Russian troops would hinder firefighting operations. The fires can release radioactive particles into the air and be carried by the wind. The fires around Chernobyl can release radioactive particles into the air.