The protective dome over the fourth reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (AFP)

Radiation levels at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant are low. There is no threat to the population, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said Friday after unknown armed forces made their way to the area.

"Regarding reports earlier today of higher radiation measurements at the Chornobyl site, Ukraine’s regulatory authority said that they may have been caused by heavy military vehicles stirring up soil still contaminated from the 1986 accident," Grossi said in an IAEA-released statement.

UPDATE: #Ukraine informs IAEA that country’s nuclear power reactors continue to operate safely and securely; IAEA assesses #Chornobyl radiation readings don’t pose danger to public: https://t.co/MB3OPmZOHs pic.twitter.com/lCE3TK185J
— IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency (@iaeaorg) February 25, 2022

The UN nuclear watchdog assessed that readings reported by the regulator are low (9,46 microSieverts per hour) and remain within the operational range measured in the Exclusion Zone since its establishment.

Therefore, the agency announced, the area poses no danger to the public, as it said it was closely monitoring it and other developments in Ukraine, focusing on the country's nuclear reactors.

Ukraine had informed the International Atomic Energy Agency that "unknown armed forces" took over the Chernobyl nuclear plant, noting that the incident lead to no casualties or destruction, the UN watchdog said Thursday.

"Regarding the situation at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine has informed the IAEA that 'unidentified armed forces' have taken control of all facilities of the State Specialized Enterprise Chornobyl NPP, located within the Exclusion Zone," an IAEA statement read.

"The counterpart added that there had been no casualties nor destruction at the industrial site," the agency added.

Russia's airborne forces were able to secure the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in northern Ukraine Thursday, according to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry.

"Yesterday, on February 24, 2022, the Chernobyl NPP was taken under control of the Russian airborne units," Defense Ministry Spokesperson Igor Konashenkov declared.

He also highlighted that the area's background radioactivity was normal and that the power plant's personnel are still routinely running it, and today the Russian assertions were backed by the United Nations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a special military operation in Donbass over the constant Ukrainian shelling of Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics, whose independence Moscow recognized a few days ahead of the operation.