Poland hands out iodine pills as fighting rages near Ukrainian power plant
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Poland began distributing iodine tablets to various regional fire departments on Thursday amid concerns about possible radiation exposure from a Russian-held nuclear power plant. In Ukraine.
Shelling near Zaporizhzhia, Europe’s largest plant, damaged buildings near six of the plant’s reactors during fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces.
Neighbors in the event of a nuclear emergency Countries like Poland will be most affected. Iodine is considered a protective substance against conditions that result from radioactive exposure.
“Following media reports of close battles Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power PlantAccording to Reuters, Deputy Interior Minister Blazej Pobozzi said in a radio broadcast, “We have decided to … prematurely take precautionary measures for the distribution of iodine.”
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Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear power station in Europe.
(International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)/handout via REUTERS)
“I would like to reassure all citizens that these are routine, precautionary actions to protect us in the event of a situation that … I hope will not occur.”
On Thursday, the city of Zaporizhia faced more intense fighting after the Russian military reportedly fired nine missiles that hit a hotel and a power station, according to Ukraine’s local governor. Reuters notes that the city itself is only 31 miles from the power plant.
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A rescuer from the Emergencies Ministry of Ukraine participates in a drill in the city of Zaporizhzhia, August 17, 2022, in case of a possible nuclear incident at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant near the city.
(Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images)
There is global outrage and concern over the situation in the region. I authorities United Nations It has demanded to create a safe zone around the plant to avoid further damage.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization on Wednesday that would force thousands of Russian citizens to join the war effort amid recent losses to Ukraine’s defense forces.