A column of military vehicles leaves for the Chernobyl exclusion zone at dawn. The group includes specialists from CBRN protection units (abbreviated from "Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear protection") of the SOF of Ukraine. Now the Ukrainian military uses just such an abbreviation, which comes from the name of the units of NATO countries CBRN defense (Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense), thus emphasizing their compatibility with the armies of partner countries.
The final phase of training of CBRN defense units of the SOF of Ukraine begins with the march. On this day, classes are held in real conditions. On the way, a few kilometers from the exclusion zone, one of the cars drives off the highway. The ARS, a special auto-filling station, is being driven to a small river to “refuel”.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

The river water collected in the ARS is then used for training in the disinfection of equipment and personnel. Thus, the army is trained to use any useful means and quickly navigate in adverse conditions.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

The first thing that catches your eye when you arrive in the exclusion zone is the good quality of the roads built during the time of independent Ukraine. And also - in some places, pop-up symbols of the USSR: a monument to Lenin in Chernobyl, street names, symbols of the Soviet regime, which, in fact, became the cause of the largest man-made disaster of the 20th century.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

On the way of the Chernobyl zone to Pripyat, the entire group's personal dosimeters suddenly give a signal about a dangerous increase in the background radiation. This does not happen often when there is a powerful source of radiation nearby. We will hear the same signals several times later in an abandoned city.

Now Pripyat is a very popular travel destination. Especially many tourists appeared here after the world premiere of the series "Chernobyl".

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

The military is sent to a predetermined neighborhood - away from civilian travelers and at the same time into a densely built up area overgrown with bushes and trees. This place is the best suited for radiation reconnaissance classes and training tasks.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

On the spot, the first thing the soldiers do is camouflage equipment. While the crews of special vehicles are preparing equipment and protective equipment, a headquarters is being deployed nearby - in the apartment of the Pripyat high-rise building.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

From the roof of this building, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is clearly visible, over which a new safe confinement rises. It was opened in December 2019 thanks to the joint efforts of the international community. This structure was erected in 1986 about the "Shelter object" known as the "Sarcophagus", built over the notorious 4th power unit of the nuclear power plant.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

The surrounding houses of Pripyat are completely devastated. It is very rare to see the things of the former owners in the apartments. In the room where the headquarters is located, we find a newspaper dated April 20, 1986 - less than a week remained before the disaster.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

However, the impression of what they saw (for many soldiers this was the first trip to the exclusion zone) did not prevent the main goal - to learn how to perform tasks in the contaminated area. This is very important for the participants in the class. Indeed, according to the time in the Ukrainian units - NATO assessment procedures, according to the results of which there may be an increase in the number of soldiers of the Ukrainian in the NATO Response Force (NRF).

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

NATO experts assess the abilities of Ukrainian combat units together: combat groups of reconnaissance operators and other units, including CBRN protection services, should also show a high class of mission performance. In the classroom in Pripyat, the brothers are assisted by soldiers who, as part of their unit, are already on alert in the NATO Response Force (NRF).

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

"NATO countries pay special attention to the fact that CBRN defense service specialists are trained at a high level. We have interaction with all combat units in which it is planned to carry out NRF certification. There is a common understanding and practice," said a CBRN Defense specialist of one from divisions of the SOF of Ukraine Miroslav.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

The scenario of the practical lesson corresponds to very real situations and threats. Fighting is taking place in the city between army units and illegal armed groups. The enemy uses a so-called "dirty" bomb, an explosive device equipped with radiation elements, to sow panic among the civilian population. Therefore, the tasks of radiation reconnaissance are assigned to the combined group CBRN Defense SOF of Ukraine.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

Since the training takes place in an infected area, all professionals use protective clothing in accordance with the threat. To work for several hours in a row in such suits, you need to have good stamina at the same time be focused, attentive and not miss the smallest details.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

At the first stage, radiation reconnaissance is practiced in certain squares. Crews go by car to measure the background along the roads on certain routes in unfamiliar terrain.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

In addition to special devices, they take with them photographic equipment to record the situation and a map. It shows the points where it is necessary to conduct reconnaissance and report to the headquarters background values recorded by the scouts.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

The next stage is the development of the city's microdistricts on foot. The same square should now be worked out with measuring instruments both on the street and to carry out radiation monitoring of the surrounding buildings.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

Meanwhile, in one of the houses of the participants, another task awaits: to identify and identify an underground laboratory for the manufacture of self-propelled weapons of mass destruction. According to the legend of the training, the actions of the CBRN defense specialists were preceded by the work of the combat groups. They knocked out conditional terrorists out of the square and, during reconnaissance, discovered an underground laboratory.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

In case of such a find, "chemists" are called to the place - this is the informal name of the fighters of the CBRN defense units. It is these specialists who initiate forensic measures - must identify the clandestine laboratory.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

Then "sampling" is carried out - the collection of evidence of the preparation of a terrorist attack, is a fairly new concept for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Experts take samples of substances from containers found in the laboratory and even a small puddle on the table - any suspicious substances must be identified. All procedures must be in a clearly defined sequence, and every movement of specialists is spelled out in NATO guidelines. Sample containers are carefully packed in sealed bags and decontaminated outdoors. Also, the soldiers themselves undergo special processing after completing the task.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

“It was useful and interesting to work out radiological, chemical, biological protection: conducting reconnaissance on foot, working with radiation-chemical devices, taking samples in a dangerous zone. detection of infection, reports ", - said after the lesson its participant - a serviceman of the Special Operations Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

Servicemen of the Special Operations Forces are now moving away from the outdated USSR standards that were used in training centers. In the classroom in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, they used modern NATO installations that best meet modern realities, after all, based on advanced experience gained in military conflicts and terrorist attacks around the world.
"The work of CBRN services is now very relevant. As we see from modern local wars, such as, for example, in Syria and the use of chemical weapons, in particular, by various terrorist organizations, the use of homemade weapons of mass destruction with various toxic substances, as well as various man-made disasters lead to the fact that CBRN services should be actively working ", - says Miroslav, a specialist of the CBRN Defense service of the SOF of Ukraine.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

Among the tasks that the SOF soldiers worked out was chemical reconnaissance. During each exercise, the soldiers reported to the headquarters on the progress and fulfillment of the assignment. All reports were made according to the general procedure stipulated by the forces of the North Atlantic Alliance.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

In order for the participants to work through and assimilate the educational material better, real scientists also took part in the classes. For example, Associate Professor of the Department of Chemistry and Combat Toxic Chemical Substances of the Faculty of Radiation, Chemical, Biological Defense of the Military Institute of Tank Forces - Ivan Belousov. For many years he has studied and applied best practices in CBRN protection.
"Since these exercises took place in the exclusion zone in real conditions of radiation contamination of the terrain, the main point that should be paid attention to was that all actions were carried out according to NATO methods. Namely: ATP-45 and AEP-66. These standards are implemented in our educational institution for the training of cadets and I was very surprised by the level of implementation of these techniques by the RCB-protection units, they were attracted from the Special Operations Forces.The theory is theory, but practice is still a key point in the training of specialists. control, radiation reconnaissance, found exactly the contaminated places, established the degree of contamination ", - said Ivan Belousov.

Dirty bomb radiation and chemical poison in Pripyat CBRN DEFENSE through the eyes of the SOF of Ukraine

The lesson in Pripyat was preceded by several previous educational phases - hours spent in theoretical classes and in working out tasks at educational locations. "Our work is similar to the work of sappers" - the guys say. - "One mistake - incorrectly fitted protective equipment, made a mistake in identifying the source and spread of the threat - and that's it, you are dead. Therefore, we are constantly training and improving our knowledge and skills, both for the sake of protecting our fellows and civilians."
Video of classes with CBRN Defense SOF of Ukraine:

 

Source: https://sof.mil.gov.ua/news/226-brudna-bomba-radiatsiya-i-khimichna-otruta-u-prypyati-cbrn-defense-ochyma-sso-ukrayiny
Author: Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine