This makes sense as a resson but it's morally wrong.
The HBO series referenced is well done in its explanation of what happened at Chernobyl. Some of the series is hard to watch, but the explanation for what happened there is worth the time.
Not to be pointing fingers, but the Soviet Union did not do a 5-star job their first time managing the plant, so I wouldn't give their assessment this time much weight.
The exclusion zone surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear power plant still exists and is still heavily contaminated with caesium-137, strontium-90, americium-241, plutonium-238, and plutonium-239. Plutonium particles are the most toxic ones. The soil in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone also contains elevated levels of Iodine-129, a known cancer agent.
Soldiers occupying an area will sit on the ground, may sleep on the ground and eat on the ground, and soil will get into their equipment.
It's worse than cannon fodder.
Why would Russia want to take Chernobyl?:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/russia-want-take-chernobyl-rcna17615