---
title: "A Russian Rocket Exploded, Causing a Radiation Spike"
description: "A Russian rocket engine exploded during a military test on Thurday, killing two people and causing a slight radiation spike in a nearby town."
date: "2019-08-08"
modified: "2019-08-08"
authors:
  - name: "Kristin Houser"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/kristin"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/russian-rocket-exploded-radiation-spike"
categories:
  - "Science & Energy"
tags:
  - "radiation"
  - "rocket"
  - "Russia"
  - "the digest"
---

# A Russian Rocket Exploded, Causing a Radiation Spike

![A Russian rocket engine exploded during a military test on Thurday, killing two people and causing a slight radiation spike in a nearby town.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/russian-rocket-exploded-radiation-spike.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Victor Tangermann\</em\>*

## Deadly Explosion

On Thursday, a Russian military test turned tragic when a rocket engine [exploded](<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-blast-rocket-radiation/two-dead-in-russian-rocket-engine-explosion-radiation-spikes-shipping-shut-idUSKCN1UY1D5>), killing two people and injuring four others.

The explosion occurred in Nyonoksa, which is home to a testing site for intercontinental ballistic missiles Russia intends to use in its nuclear submarines. *Reuters* [reported](<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-blast-rocket-radiation/two-dead-in-russian-rocket-engine-explosion-radiation-spikes-shipping-shut-idUSKCN1UY1D5>) that the *RIA* news agency quoted Russia’s Defense Ministry as saying the explosion didn't release any [radioactive or toxic substances](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/russia-radiation-leak-fukushima>) into the atmosphere.

However, authorities in the town of Severodvinsk, which is located 30 kilometers (19 miles) east of Nyonoksa, reported an increase in radiation levels — but thankfully, they say it was minor and short-lived.

## Airborne Toxic Event

According to an *Associated Press* [report](<https://www.apnews.com/71d5cba034e444fcbed4b7e2aaa69a64>), the Severodvinsk officials said the city's radiation level increased from its normal 0.1 microsieverts per hour to 2 microsieverts per hour for about 30 minutes.

That might sound alarming, but the *AP* reports that it's actually less radiation than airplane passengers are exposed to during a trans-ocean flight — meaning while this incident is no doubt tragic given the lives lost, it shouldn't be cause for concern to those in the nearby region.

**READ MORE:** [Two dead in Russian rocket engine explosion; radiation spikes, shipping shut](<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-blast-rocket-radiation/two-dead-in-russian-rocket-engine-explosion-radiation-spikes-shipping-shut-idUSKCN1UY1D5>) \[*Reuters*\]

**More on radiation:** *[Did Russia Cover up a Radiation Leak 100x Worse Than Fukushima?](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/russia-radiation-leak-fukushima>)*

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinjhouser>)