Ukraine sees radiation spike in Chernobyl after Russia attack

An alarming spike in radiation levels has experts worried after the infamous nuclear plant at Chernobyl was captured by Russian fighters.

Radiation levels spiked near the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster after Russia seized control of the area in its invasion of Ukraine, authorities said Friday.

The control levels of gamma radiation in the exclusion zone surrounding Chernobyl’s nuclear power plant “were exceeded,” the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine said in a statement.

Ukraine reported increased levels of radiation by Chernobyl’s nuclear power plant after Russian forces seized the area. Picture: Reuters.

The cause was a disturbance soil by “heavy military machinery” and increased air pollution through the exclusion zone, according to the agency.

“The condition of Chernobyl nuclear facilities and other facilities is unchanged,” the statement said.

Russian forces confirmed they had taken control of the plant on Thursday but said in a statement Friday that said radiation levels “are normal” in the area, according to Interfax.

Russian tanks are allegedly spotted in front of a reactor in Chernobyl on Feb. 24, 2022. Picture: Forgotten Chernobyl/Facebook

“The NPP personnel continue to operate the power plant as usual and to monitor radiation levels,” Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said, according to Interfax.

The plant meltdown in April 1986 prompted the evacuation of nearly 50,000. The site is roughly 10 miles from Ukraine’s border with Russia and 80 miles north of Ukraine capital city Kyiv.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted Thursday that “defenders are giving their lives so that the tragedy of 1986 will not be repeated.”“This is a declaration of war against the whole of Europe,” he said.

This story originally appeared on The New York Post and was reproduced with permission.