Chernobyl radiation levels rise after Russian takeover

The International Atomic Energy Agency says the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear plant reported higher-than-usual radiation levels after being taken over by Russian forces invading Ukraine.

But it said on Friday that current radiation levels do not pose a threat to the public.

Ukraine's regulatory authority previously said that increased radiation levels may be due to military vehicles stirring up soil that remains contaminated from the accident in 1986, still known as the worst nuclear disaster in history.

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A view of the ghost town of Pripyat with a shelter covering the exploded reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in the background.

But the measures are "within the operational range measured in the Exclusion Zone since it was established," according to the IAEA.

The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is a 2,600-square-kilometre area of forest lying between the Belarus-Ukraine border and the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

Russian forces took control over the site on Thursday after a fierce battle with Ukrainian national guards protecting the plant.

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Last night, The White House expressed outrage at "credible reports" from Ukrainian officials that the staff at the shuttered nuclear plant have been taken hostage by Russian troops.

Press secretary Jen Psaki said "we condemn it and we request their release".

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Earlier, a presidential adviser said Ukraine had lost control of the Chernobyl nuclear site, where Ukranian forces had waged a fierce battle with Russian troops.

Myhailo Podolyak told The Associated Press that Ukrainian authorities did not know the current condition of the facilities at Chernobyl.

"After the absolutely senseless attack of the Russians in this direction, it is impossible to say that the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is safe," he said.

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