Ukraine soldier holds flag outside re-taken Chernobyl plant after Russians flee

dailystar.co.uk:

Ukraine took control of the district of Pripyat and the area of the State Border of Ukraine with the Republic of Belarus. "We continue to perform combat duties!

Together to victory! Glory to the DSHW! Glory to Ukraine!"Earlier this week the Ukrainian defence ministry said that Russian forces had now left the area, with occupying forces now appearing to concentrate their efforts in the east of the nation.It comes after soldiers were said to have been spotted being shipped home from the Ukraine war zone with “acute radiation sickness” after digging trenches near the infamous Chernobyl nuclear power plant, it has been reported.Chernobyl staff reported seeing the Russians driving “a big convoy of military vehicles” through the deadly woodland, causing huge clouds of radioactive soil and dust to be kicked up into the air.The area — named for the pine trees that turned red after being exposed to highly radioactive waste – is considered so highly toxic that not even specially-trained Chernobyl workers are allowed to enter the zone.Due to the reckless actions of the invaders, at least Russian soldier is thought to have died of radiation poisoning.

The liberation of the site well come as welcome relief to officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are heading an expedition to assess the damage caused by Russian troops during their occupation.The head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, said on Friday (April 1) that he intended to lead an “assistance and support” mission to Chernobyl as soon as possible.

He added that the visit to Chernobyl would be the first in a series of nuclear safety and security missions to war-torn Ukraine.To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters.