Ukraine war: Over 70 Russian soldiers exposed to radiation at Chernobyl
- Troops being treated in Belarus after apparently suffering from radiation after digging around grounds of plant, which was the site of 1986 nuclear disaster
- Russian military planned to control the power plant, but Ukrainian forces blew up the bridge leading to the plant making it impossible to do so
About 75 Russian soldiers are receiving medical treatment in Belarus after being exposed to radiation during their temporary control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s Energy Minister German Galushchenko.
Galushchenko said in an online interview on Tuesday that the troops apparently suffered from radiation after digging around the grounds of the plant, the site of a 1986 disaster, to defend themselves from the Ukrainian military.
The troops were affected “very heavily and are in a very difficult situation and now [being treated] in clinics” in Belarus, Galushchenko said, citing information made available.
“I can’t imagine you could order someone to dig into” areas contaminated with “the high level of radiation with signs saying ‘Don’t come in. Don’t stay near,’” he said, speaking in English.
“They’re soldiers, and they just follow the orders.”
Galushchenko said Ukraine has regained complete control of the nuclear power plant.
“We do not see any problems with radiation,” he said. “We do not see any increase in radiation.”