Norway has urged its citizens to tidy up Cold War-era bunkers and stockpile medicine. This is done in preparation for radiation exposure if at any time a disaster similar to Chernobyl occurs in Ukraine.
Norwegian Defense Minister Odd Roger Enoksen said there were fears a repeat of a disaster like Chernobyl would cause radioactive fallout in his country by being carried away by the wind.
Although Russia and Norway have had relatively close ties for decades, Russian President Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine has marked a turning point.
"I'm afraid it (the war) will last a long time," Enoksen was quoted as saying by The Times.
He added that Norway had bought more reconnaissance planes, tanks, submarines to strengthen the security of its territory.
"This warning is not related to the fear of nuclear war but related to the nuclear power plant in Ukraine and the accidents we have seen," Enoksen said.
The government's warning comes amid high-level discussions to reimpose Cold War-era building codes that made underground bunkers a requirement for civilian structures, such as hotels and underground shelters.
Enoksen added that Norwegian authorities do not see any military threat against them. But now Norway is a neighbor to a country that is at war.
In recent years, Norway has deployed its counter-intelligence assets to the remote Arctic city of Kirkenes. The city is located in the northern part of the country.
Earlier, a senior Ukrainian official accused Russia of carrying out "irresponsible" actions around Chernobyl that could send radiation to much of Europe.