Ukraine rushes to ‘defend Chernobyl’ over fears most radioactive site in the world could be targeted in Russian invasion
UKRAINE has rushed forces to defend the area around Chernobyl over fears the disaster zone could be targeted in a Russian invasion.
The site around the former nuclear plant is still the most radioactive place on earth and the area was abandoned after it exploded in 1986.
But as fears mount of a Russian invasion, Ukraine has now moved troops to the desolate region on its northern border with Belarus.
In recent weeks it has been reported that Belarus, which is an ally of Russia, maybe one of the routes the Kremlin’s forces may use to invade Ukraine.
With Russia and Belarus are due to hold joint military exercises in February, Ukraine has now deployed thousands of troops to the area around Chernobyl, the New York Times reports.
The town of Pripyat, next to where Chernobyl stood and where its workers lived, is now a ghost town.
The town of Chernobyl itself is partially closed with workers who maintain the huge ‘sarcophagus’ built over the damaged reactor rotating in and out.
“We don’t know what will kill us first, the virus, radiation or war,” one worker, Oleksei Prishepa, told the paper.
The Kremlin has denied any plans for military action in Ukraine despite satellite photos of troops and tanks inside Belarus, within striking distance of Kiev.
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The catastrophe in Chernobyl claimed 31 lives as well as leaving thousands of people and animals exposed to potentially fatal radiation.
Soldiers deployed to the area have to wear devices around their necks to monitor radiation exposure.
It comes as Ukraine has been bracing itself for war with one general promising its forces would “tear apart Russians with their bare hands”.
The country is determined repel any possible attack with their forces already being equipped with anti-tank weapons by the UK
The weapons are also aimed equipping Ukrainian guerrillas who will carry on the fight.
Vladimir Putin has around 100,000 troops and heavy armour stationed near the Ukraine border after talks to avert a bloody conflict failed to reach a breakthrough.
We don’t know what will kill us first, the virus, radiation or war
Chernobyl worker
Concern about an invasion has prompted Britain and the US to begin withdrawing embassy staff and their families.
Meanwhile Joe Biden was reported to be considering sending 50,000 US troops to eastern Europe to counter any Russian offensive.
Extra ships and planes could also be sent in a strong warning to Putin to back down, it is claimed.
Initially the plans would see up to 5,000 personnel deployed in Nato allies in the Baltic – boosted to ten times that number if the situation deteriorates.
Biden does not want US boots on the ground in Ukraine itself, fearing a repeat of his disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Denmark and Spain are also sending planes and ships to eastern Europe and France has put troops on standby as Nato bolsters its “deterrence”.
Russia hit back today warning it would “respond appropriately” to any US deployment on its doorstep.
