Elevated radiation levels have been detected on the wreckage of a Russian drone used by Russian forces to attack the Chernihiv Region last month. The fragments belong to an R-60 air-to-air missile mounted on a modified Geran-2 strike drone.
According to the SBU, the strike was launched on the night of 7 April near the village of Kamka. Russian forces use such missiles during large-scale attacks to target Ukrainian aircraft and helicopters intercepting Russian UAVs.
During radiation monitoring conducted in the immediate vicinity of the drone wreckage carrying the missile, specialists recorded a gamma radiation level of 12 μSv/h, significantly exceeding the natural background radiation level of 0.10–0.20 μSv/h and posing a threat to human health.
Specialists from the Security Service, together with units of the State Emergency Service and the Ukrainian Defence Forces, secured the missile’s warhead and transported it to a radioactive waste storage facility.
Examinations established that the warhead of the Russian missile contains depleted uranium components identified as Uranium-235 and Uranium-238.
Investigators from the Security Service are conducting a pre-trial investigation into the incident as part of criminal proceedings under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (war crimes), under the procedural supervision of the Chernihiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
The SBU has urged citizens to exercise particular caution if they discover debris from drones, missiles or other munitions. Damaged or burnt munitions pose the greatest danger, as they may release radioactive dust hazardous to both people and the environment.