A Russian soldier from Yekaterinburg has suffered severe radiation poisoning after washing his clothes in contaminated water, according to military lawyer Petr Portnyagin.
The incident has left the soldier, whose name has not been disclosed, with severe health consequences, including necrosis and bone damage.
According to Portnyagin, the soldier was stationed in an unspecified “unfriendly” country when the incident occurred, though the exact location and timing were not revealed. During his deployment, the soldier decided to wash his clothes in water that was contaminated with radioactive materials. Shortly after, he began experiencing symptoms of radiation sickness, which has since progressed into severe necrosis and bone deterioration.
Portnyagin noted that the affected individual had dedicated his life to the Russian military. He served aboard the cruiser “Admiral Kuznetsov” and was present during the tragic Kursk submarine disaster. Most recently, he was deployed as a ground assault trooper in Ukraine, where he sustained concussions and shrapnel wounds during combat.
The lawyer explained that the soldier, now facing a grim prognosis due to the radiation exposure, hopes that his deteriorating condition may allow him to be discharged from service and avoid further combat duty in Ukraine. “He has given his entire life to the military,” Portnyagin said.
The contaminated water that led to the soldier’s radiation poisoning highlights ongoing issues regarding the safety conditions faced by Russian forces in certain deployments.