Ukraine: Russian Defence Ministry Explains Why Forces Are Holding Chernobyl Following Seize

Russia's defence ministry has explained why troops have seized control of Chernobyl amid the country's invasion of Ukraine.

While hundreds of lives were lost as a result of warfare across Ukraine, from gunfire to missile strikes, one of the most unnerving stories to emerge from day one of the conflict was Russia's seizure of the infamous power plant, ground zero of the worst nuclear disaster in history.

Initial reports claimed fighting near Chernobyl had caused the destruction of a nuclear waste facility, later confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with additional fears of hostages being taken at the plant. 'This is a declaration of war against the whole of Europe,' he earlier wrote.

Ukraine's nuclear agency reported 'insignificant' increases in radiation levels as a result of Russian troops kicking up dirt, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned of the possibility of 'another ecological disaster... in 1986, the world saw the biggest technological disaster in Chernobyl. If Russia continues the war, Chernobyl can happen again in 2022', it tweeted. 

While some speculated that their control of Chernobyl would allow them to chart the shortest route to Kyiv from Belarus, Russia's defence ministry has claimed it's 'protecting' the plant. Russian troops have reportedly rolled into the north of Kyiv this morning, with troops and residents bracing for further attacks.

In a statement, as per BBC News, it said it was ensuring 'nationalistic groups and other terrorist organisations cannot use the situation in the country in order to stage a nuclear provocation', while insisting levels of radiation in the surrounding area were normal.

Dr Taras Kuzio, a research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, believes Chernobyl presents a symbolic win for Putin. 'Putin has the mindset of somebody who cannot get over the fact the USSR disintegrated 30 years ago, and it all began to disintegrate after Chernobyl,' he said.

The ministry's statement also conflicts with the claims of Ukraine's armed forces: Russia said its troops have managed to advance in Donetsk and Luhansk, with more than 150 Ukrainian troops surrendering and dozens of military infrastructure sites destroyed; while Ukraine's troops said they're still holding the line in the region and the Russians have had 'no success'.

Concerns have also been raised over Russian troops taking hostages at Chernobyl, with Alyona Shevtsova, an adviser to the commander of Ukraine's Ground Forces, claiming staff had been 'taken hostage' at the plant, however these claims have yet to be verified.

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