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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Asharq Al-Awsat

Putin’s Nuclear Comments Lead to Rush for Iodine in Central Europe

Iodine pills are seen in a classroom in Fessenheim during a nuclear accident drill near France's oldest nuclear power station, June 12, 2018. (Reuters)

Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Vladimir Putin's comments that Moscow's nuclear deterrent is on high alert have unleashed a wave of anxiety in Central Europe, with people rushing to buy iodine which they believe may protect them from radiation.

From Poland to Bulgaria, people living in the former Soviet-era satellite states have also jammed passport offices, topped up their fuel tanks and prepared to leave at a moment's notice.

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