Poland starts handing out anti-radiation tablets as battle rages around Ukraine nuclear power plant

Polish officials have begun distributing anti-radiation tablets across the country as fears of nuclear exposure from the war in neighboring Ukraine mount.

Fire brigades have been given the tablets in response to the current fighting around Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant – Europe’s largest – that has heightened fears of a nuclear disaster.

Officials described the move as a “preventive” and “preventive” measure.

“We have decided on a preventive, preventive step to start distributing potassium iodide tablets to the district fire departments,” Deputy Interior Minister Blazej Pobozy told reporters.

He said it was a routine initiative “in the event of a potential radiation threat, which… does not exist at this time.”

The tablets are handed over to the local authorities and eventually end up at distribution points – in most cases schools – where residents can collect them if necessary.

He said there were enough doses for anyone who would need them.

Fire brigades have been given the tablets in response to current fighting around Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant (pictured) – Europe’s largest – that has raised fears of a nuclear disaster

The tablets are handed over to local authorities and eventually end up at distribution points – in most cases schools – where residents will collect them if necessary

Six power plants generate 40-42 billion kWh of electricity, making the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant the largest nuclear power plant not only in Ukraine but also in Europe

The nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine has six power plants generating 40-42 billion kWh of electricity, making the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant the largest nuclear power plant not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe.

The medical representative at the press conference, Dr. Wojciech Zgliczynski, warned against taking anti-radiation tablets except when necessary.

He added that children, young people, pregnant women and nursing mothers are most at risk of developing cancer from radiation exposure.

Pobozy said the potassium iodide tablets were a preventative measure in the event of a nuclear accident but would not help in a tactical nuclear attack.

In that scenario, “entirely different isotypes are released, against which unfortunately there is no tablet to protect us,” he told reporters.

However, he emphasized that compared to a nuclear accident, an attack is ‘even less likely’.

Polish medical representative Pobozy said the potassium iodide tablets were a preventive measure in the event of a nuclear accident but would not help in a tactical nuclear attack.

This move comes amid Vladimir Putin’s latest nuclear threat, following his outraged speech today.

After announcing in a blistering Kremlin speech that he had annexed four Ukrainian regions to Russia, he then vowed to “crush” the West and liberate the world.

The Russian despot declared that “millions of people” had “chose” to become vassals of Russia in mock referendums – saying they are “our people, forever” to a standing ovation in the Kremlin’s great Georgian Hall of his cronies, including Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and loyal ally Dmitry Medvedev.

He then delivered a blistering speech suggesting that the US had set a “precedent” for the use of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and hinted that he might consider its own nuclear strike — either against Ukraine or its allies.

Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of four Ukrainian regions to Russia during a speech at the Kremlin, in which he also launched a blistering diatribe against the West

The speech was delivered in the main Georgian Kremlin Hall to hundreds of Putin’s henchmen, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, warlord Ramzan Kadyrov and spy chief Sergey Naryshkin

The rest of his speech was a screed on which he mentioned: the Vietnam War, the Opium War, the First and Second World Wars, Goebbels, Satanism, gender reassignment and homosexuality. He rejected what he called “neo-colonialism,” vowed to “destroy Western hegemony,” and spoke of Russia’s “fate” to liberate the world.

The response was quick. President Zelensky, who has vowed never to respect the annexation, stated that Ukraine will officially request to join NATO and will not negotiate with Russia as long as Putin is in power. Joe Biden called the annexation “fraudulent.” Prime Minister Liz Truss said Britain ‘will take care’ [Putin] lose this illegal war.’ The EU said it “unequivocally” condemns Putin’s actions.

Boris Johnson, former prime minister who became an iconic figure for Ukraine, labeled Putin’s speech a “disgrace” and vowed that the UK will support Ukraine “without flinching until their country is whole and free”.

Putin’s promise to protect his “new territories” will be put to the test almost immediately as thousands of Russian troops are currently surrounded in Lyman, in the Donetsk region, with the city on the brink of falling and the troops either captured or killed in the process – possibly within the next few hours.