NPR

Satellite photo shows Russian troops were stationed in Chernobyl's radioactive zone

The satellite image lends credence to the idea that Russia may have exposed its troops to unhealthy levels of radioactivity.
A satellite image from the company Planet shows Russian vehicles and an encampment in the Chernobyl exclusion zone on March 16, 2022.

During its occupation of the Chernobyl nuclear site, Russia appears to have stationed troops in an area of high radioactive contamination, according to new satellite imagery obtained by NPR from the company Planet.

The decision raises the possibility that Russia exposed its own soldiers to potentially unhealthy levels of radioactivity during its month-plus possession of the defunct nuclear facility.

Experts say the levels are not nearly enough to cause sudden radiation poisoning, but they could potentially elevate the long-term risks of cancer for the soldiers.

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