Russia Introduces New National Standard for Detecting Radioactive, Chemical, and Biological Contamination

Russia’s All-Russian Research Institute for Civil Defense and Emergency Situations, part of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, has created a new national standard (GOST) outlining how authorities should detect areas contaminated by radioactive, chemical, or biological agents, the institute told RBC on November 26.

The standard sets procedures for conducting radiation, chemical, and biological reconnaissance during mobilization, periods of martial law, and emergency situations in peacetime. It also introduces updated definitions of maximum permissible contamination levels, including thresholds for toxic exposure, radiation doses, contamination density, and concentrations of hazardous substances in the environment.

According to RBC, the document states that such contamination may result from the use of weapons of mass destruction, accidents at radiation-hazardous facilities, or terrorist attacks involving dangerous substances. Indirect indicators of contamination can include sudden swarms of insects, unexplained liquid droplets when no precipitation is expected, powder-like residue, glassy particles, and simultaneous failures of multiple electronic or electrical devices.

If these signs are detected, a specialized reconnaissance team—typically a commander, a chemical reconnaissance specialist, and a driver—must be deployed.

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Their mission is to assess the situation using ground vehicles, helicopters, aircraft, or drones, determine the boundaries of the contaminated zone, mark it with special signage, and collect environmental samples. These may include air, water, soil, the exterior surfaces of vehicles, plant material, shell fragments, and remains of small rodents or insects.

“This is a nationwide GOST—comprehensive and clear—whereas previously there were only localized methodological guidelines on this topic,” the institute told RBC. The standard will take effect on February 1, 2026.

Earlier, Ukraine’s General Staff reported that radiation reconnaissance teams from the Armed Forces are working inside the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone to assess safety conditions around the sarcophagus that encloses Reactor No. 4.

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