An explosion August 8th from one of the premier research hubs run by the state nuclear energy corporation killed at least five nuclear specialists and released four radio active substances. The substances were identified as “technogenic radionuclides” – strontium-91, barium-139, barium-140 and lanthanum-140. These are fast-decaying radioactive substances that would emit inert radioactive gases if exposed to the open air.
The findings appear to back up an official statement posted on the Severodvinsk city government website, however, this statement disappeared after the Russian military denied there had been any emissions of radioactive material.
