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Mystery of Chernobyl: Radiation levels shoot up after Russia takes over area

A rise in the levels of radiation have been observed in the Kyiv region that is situated close to Chernobyl following the commencement of the Russian war on Ukraine

Radiation levels have seen a rise in recent hours in Kyiv, which is located close to Chernobyl. The change in radiation levels was noticed following the Russian invasion of Ukraine which world leaders believe, is the biggest war to take place on Ukrainian soil after the devastating World War II. Ukraine's nuclear agency revealed that radiation levels started going up in Pripyat, near Chernobyl. 

The rise in levels of radiation has been particularly observed in areas close to Chernobyl, an area that lives with an ominous reputation ever since it was abandoned after the world's worst nuclear disaster took place in 1986. However, the nuclear agency went ahead and stated that the rise in levels was 'insignificant' and allegedly caused by the dust coming in from Russian vehicles moving in their military ammunition and artillery into the area. 

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Russia took over the Chernobyl area on Thursday. Alyona Shevtsova, an adviser to the commander of Ukraine's ground forces, wrote on Facebook that staff posted at the Chernobyl plant had been taken hostage by the Russians. This has concerned Ukrainian authorities who believe that the use of guns and other explosives in the area could result in more lethal radiation leaking from the abandoned plant. "Ukrainian officials have said gamma radiation dose rates at the Chernobyl exclusion zone have exceeded 'control levels' at a 'significant number of observation points' after the power plant was captured by Russian forces," tweeted Kyle Griffin of MSNBC.

The White House has condemned reports of staff being taken hostage by Russians. Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog, issued a statement on Thursday saying it was following the situation with "grave concern." He also stated that they have been appealing for "maximum restraint" to avoid any action that is capable of putting the countty's nuclear facilities at risk. An expert from the Federation of American Scientists, Dr Eric Feigl-Ding tweeted, "WATCHING—elevated radiation ☢️ levels observed at #Chernobyl reactor site—not super high yet but 65 μSv (65k nSv) is elevated above normal. There was reported shelling around Chernobyl between Russian & Ukrainian forces. Praying this doesn’t get worse."

The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, declared "special military operations" on Ukraine during the early hours of 24th February, shortly after which, an array of air and ground explosions were heard in the major cities of Ukraine. Putin's decision of war on Ukraine has enraged most nations all over the world and earned the leader scathing criticism, except from China. So far, 137 Ukrainians have been reported dead, which also includes civilians. More than hundreds have been injured and 800 Russian soldiers have been reported dead.