Seizure of Chernobyl by Russian troops sparks health concerns for people near the nuclear plant

On the heels of the Russians taking control of Chernobyl, there are fears radioactive material could spread if there is fighting in the area.

As Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, concerns are growing now that the conflict has reached Chernobyl.

This week, Russian forces seized control of the defunct Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster. The disaster occurred after a reactor exploded and expelled massive amounts of radiation into the air and soil.

The surrounding areas after the explosion were evacuated, but radiation continued to spread far and wide. In the three decades since, there has been a reported rise in thyroid cancers, radiation-associated cataracts and other effects from radiation poisoning.

Now with activity occurring in the exclusion zone -- the 1,000-square-mile barren area around the plant which includes the nearby ghost town of Pripyat -- there are fears not of a potential second Chernobyl disaster but of radioactive material spreading from fighting in the area.