Russian Foreign Ministry: Missile explosion near Severodvinsk has nothing to do with nuclear tests

The rocket explosion that occurred in the Arkhangelsk region on August 8 "has nothing to do with nuclear tests" and is not dangerous to the life and health of the population. This was reported by the Russian Permanent Representative to international organizations in Vienna, Alexei Karpov.

“The highest recorded values ​​on the day of the incident on August 8 were 1.78 microsieverts , which is equivalent to receiving radiation comparable to a dental X-ray procedure,” Karpov said, speaking at the 53rd session of the CTBTO Preparatory Committee’s Verification Working Group.

Karpov emphasized that the explosion near Severodvinsk did not result in a transboundary transfer of radioactive substances. "There is no talk of any environmental catastrophe, as some media outlets are trying to present, either in the area of ​​the incident or beyond," he added.

Karpov said that the tests in the Arkhangelsk region are related to the development of weapons that Russia began to create after the United States withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002. He did not specify what weapons he was talking about.

• Roshydromet previously reported that the jump in radiation levels recorded on August 8 in Severodvinsk was associated with the decay of radioactive isotopes of strontium, barium and lanthanum.