Haunting new images show Chernobyl obliterated with graffitied walls, live electrical wiring uncovered, broken windows and rubbish strewn everywhere
Glass can be seen smashed in the plant (
Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Shocking new pictures have revealed a state of destruction left by Russian troops at the Chernobyl nuclear site.
Russian troops seized Chernobyl on day one of the Ukraine war in February and took over the 19 mile Chernobyl exclusion zone, surrounding the perimeter of the plant and taking full control for over a month, bunking in the grounds.
What they left in their wake and after their retreat has now been revealed, as photographers had full access to its labs and offices for the first time.
Horrifying messages graffitied on walls, rubbish overflowing along the corridors, smashed up windows and live electrical wiring uncovered were among the scenes left for the Ukrainian defenders to find.
A photo shows damage and military remains from Russian soldiers at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
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Image:
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
When the Kremlin’s forces took control of the site many locals were fearful of a major radioactive disaster as a result of heavy fighting around the plant throwing up waste.
The soldiers dug trenches in the highly toxic Red Forest zone but later retreated as part of a wider pull-out from around the capital Kyiv in April.
The large nuclear station no longer produces power but before the invasion, nearly 6,000 workers were monitoring the effects of the catastrophic meltdown more than three decades ago.
Russian troops withdrew from Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Kyiv region
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Image:
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The Washington Post reports that 698 computers. 344 vehicles and 1,500 radiation dosimeters – all irreplaceable software – were seized. It estimates the cost of replacing what was lost at more than $135 million.
Russian soldiers who seized control of Chernobyl reportedly spread radioactive material around the plant and a soldier picked up a source of radiation with his bare hands, according to the Telegraph.
A photo shows damage and military remains from Russian soldiers at the plant
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Image:
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
It is not known what happened to the soldier who handled the waste.
The soldiers contaminated the power plant with radioactive material as they travelled to and fro the forest, carrying back waste on their shoes.
As a result, radiation levels increased at the power plant.
“It’s crazy, really,” Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko told CNN. “I really have no idea why they did it.
Russian troop’s withdrawal in Chernobyl city, Ukraine on May 28, 2022
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Image:
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
“But we can see they went in there, the soldiers who went there, came back here and the level of radiation increased.”
Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s former president, said that Putin’s invasion of the nuclear site showed the threat Russia posed to the rest of Europe.
“Nuclear smoke is not limited by borders. It can reach Eastern Europe, Central Europe, and even Great Britain. The danger of nuclear contamination of Europe is very high, while Russia continues this war,” he said.
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