Russian forces seized control of Chernobyl to prevent ‘Nazi units’ from attempting nuclear provocation, says ministry
MOSCOW
Russian forces disabled 118 elements of Ukraine’s military infrastructure and neutralized more than 80 military vehicles over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.
The elements disabled include 11 military airfields, 13 control points, and communication centers, 14 S-300 and Osa missile systems, and 36 radar stations, the ministry said in a statement.
Five fighter jets, a helicopter, and five unmanned aerial vehicles were downed, while 18 tanks and armored vehicles, seven multiple rocket launchers, 41 special military vehicles, and five combat boats were neutralized, it added.
The ministry said 150 Ukrainian soldiers laid down their weapons and gave a written pledge to refrain from taking part in the hostilities.
A unit of Ukrainian Marines “contacted the command of the People’s militia of the DPR (Donetsk People’s Republic) and requested a corridor to enter the territory of the republic,” the ministry added.
After the fighting is over, “all surrendered Ukrainian servicemen will be released,” it said.
Rebels in the Donbas region managed to move forward a kilometer in Donetsk and 9 kilometers (5.5 miles) in Luhansk, according to the ministry.
The Russian Airborne Forces also seized “total control” of the Chernobyl power plant area on Thursday, the ministry reported.
The move was made to make sure that “Nazi units from the east of Ukraine” do not exploit the situation and attempt a “nuclear provocation,” it said.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, radiation levels in the Chernobyl territory are “normal” and the plant’s personnel are working to maintain and monitor the situation.
