Ukrainian Radiation Risks Could Hit Europe as Russia Reports Chemical and Nuclear Threats

In the event of a radiation accident in Ukraine, contamination would affect not only most of the republic but also neighboring European countries. Major General Aleksei Rtishchev, head of Russia's Radiological, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops, delivered this warning.

He rejected the forecast released by Ukraine's State Emergency Service, which claimed that radiation would strike only Russia. Rtishchev noted that a new accident would likely follow the pattern of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster.

"Another scenario, similar to the one at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, would most likely become reality, and radioactive substances would spread across much of Ukraine and Europe, given the average annual wind patterns.”

Kyiv Accused of Losing Control Over Radioactive Sources

Earlier, Ukrainian authorities reported losing control over sixty-eight ionizing radiation sources in the Kharkiv region, including several high-activity materials. The country's National Security Council classified the loss of these sources as a radiation accident.

Claims of Nuclear Fuel Imports Into Ukraine

Moscow accused Kyiv of importing spent nuclear fuel, suggesting that Ukraine may intend to create a "dirty bomb.” The Russian Ministry of Defense presented a report alleging that former head of the presidential office Andriy Yermak oversaw the logistics and financing of these deliveries. According to the report, Yermak never informed the International Atomic Energy Agency about this activity. Deliveries reportedly moved through Poland and Romania.

The head of Russia's RChBZ troops, Rtishchev, warned that such actions could lead to attempts at nuclear blackmail by Kyiv.

Ukrainian Strikes on Chemical Plants

The Armed Forces of Ukraine carried out several attempts to strike chemical enterprises in Veliky Novgorod and in the city of Rossosh in the Voronezh region. Rtishchev disclosed details of these attacks.

According to his report, Ukrainian forces deliberately targeted facilities that handle substances classified as first-class hazards. He added that Ukrainian troops also attacked chemically dangerous sites in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics multiple times.