About Tjernobyl, even if beta particles are mostly harmless and can't penetrate your skin, they can give you burnt skin if they are attatched to, lets say, dirt that you get on your skin when digging, it dissapears when you wash of the dirt, but soldiers in a foxhole does nor have that luxury.

I use Swedish spelling of Russian names, I have no idea how them english spells these names.

If you want to get a look on the oficcial Russian propaganda and mindset vs Ukraine you can read this. https://twitter.com/sumlenny/status/1510910740261134338

"Russian state-owned propaganda outlet RIA published the new programmatic article with the title "What Russia must do with Ukraine". The article reveals a detailed plan for a genocide, starting from full elimination of Ukrainian state. Details below."

No wonder the Ukrainians fight so hard.