14 Aug 2019

Explosion kills five Russian nuclear scientists, details murky

From Morning Report, 6:46 am on 14 August 2019

Confusion and concern remains after five Russian nuclear scientists died in a missile explosion at sea. Moscow has confirmed the deaths of what it calls "national heroes", but until now has only said the accident involved a liquid propulsion system involving isotopes.

However, a spike in radiation levels recorded in a nearby city has sparked suspicions that the nuclear missile may have exploded during a test. RNZ correspondent in Moscow Julia Chapman speaks to Susie Ferguson.