“There is a risk of a nuclear incident in Ukraine, whether accidental or targeted. But our specialists do not consider the chance of such an event to be high at the moment,” said Swiss Defense Minister Viola Amherd (60) in an interview with CH media.
But Switzerland is well prepared, Amherd says. Federal and military intelligence is covering the war in Ukraine 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Federal Office of Civil Protection is constantly updating the overall picture of the situation.
This always includes the scenario of a nuclear weapons event, Amherd said. With the National Emergency Center Switzerland has the infrastructure to see what consequences such an event in Ukraine would have for Switzerland and to warn the population.
No health effects expected
“We have calculations of what it would mean for us, depending on the weather, if a nuclear weapon were to be detonated in Ukraine,” Amherd said. Depending on the prevailing weather conditions and the severity of the radioactive contamination, certain measures such as harvesting or grazing bans should be taken in Switzerland.
However, due to the distance between Switzerland and Ukraine, the Minister of Defense expects hardly any health effects for the Swiss population. Correct information is important. (SDA/hr)