Norway and Finland detect elevated radiation levels near Russian border

Norway and Finland have recorded elevated radiation levels near the Russian border. Possible causes of the incident include a suspected leak at Russia’s Pankovo test site, where the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile is being developed, and the effects of forest fires near Chornobyl in Ukraine. 

The Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) detected traces of radioactive cesium-137 in air filters, according to the Barents Observer. This element is part of the fuel for nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons.

“The levels are clearly higher than normal, but pose no risk to humans or the environment,” said Bredo Møller from DSA’s Emergency Preparedness unit at Svanhovd.

In Finland, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority detected slightly higher levels of cesium at all eight monitoring stations, Reuters reports. “The detected figures are very small. We assume that the emissions could have been caused by forest fires in Ukraine, which may have raised the radioactivity into the air,” the Finnish service said.

Journalists note that small releases of radioactive cesium-137 are common during reactor launches or maintenance, handling of spent nuclear fuel, and even as a result of forest fires.

Throughout the summer and fall, engineers from Rosatom have been active at Russia’s Pankovo test site on Novaya Zemlya, a location specifically designated for the testing of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile. Operations at this site are carried out under stringent secrecy.