Crowds in Ukraine commemorate the 39th anniversary of the devastating Chernobyl catastrophe
Headline: Chernobyl Anniversary: Ukrainians Honor Victims and Clean-up Crews Amid Persistent Nuclear Threats
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On Saturday, Ukrainians paid tribute to the victims and clean-up crews of the Chernobyl disaster, marking the 39th anniversary of this historic nuclear event. The commemorative ceremony took place in the northern town of Prypyat, which served the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
The event was attended by plant employees, colleagues of the victims, survivors, relatives, and government officials who laid flowers at the dedication monument to the "liquidators" – those who responded and dealt with the consequences of the disaster. A moment of silence was observed to honor their sacrifices.
State awards and honorary distinctions were presented during the ceremony to the liquidators of the Chernobyl disaster as well as those who responded to the recent aftermath of the Russian UAV strike on February 14, 2025. Despite liberating the area from Russian forces in the spring of 2022, modern Ukraine still grapples with the ongoing nuclear threat, particularly from Russian soldiers' potential radiation poisoning and ongoing missile and drone attacks.
According to official records, 31 people died immediately from radiation exposure after the 1986 disaster, while nearly 8.4 million people across Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine faced exposure. The consequences of these radioactive exposures remain difficult to evaluate, but we know that a gigantic radioactive cloud reached almost every corner on Earth. Today, approximately 30 kilometers around the plant remain an exclusion zone.
Svitlana Grinchuk, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, thanked those who remained at their workplaces during the Russian invasion to ensure the plant's operations and radiation safety, not only in Ukraine but also for the European continent. One can't ignore the enduring significance and impact of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and its continuing repercussions for the region.
Related:
- Advice on responding to nuclear accidents: Knowing what to do during a nuclear event may save lives and limit damage. Here's a helpful guide for emergency preparedness.[1]
- Chernobyl anniversary attack: A Russian drone struck the Chernobyl nuclear plant's protective shield, causing minor damage but no radiation leak.[2]
Other News:
- Ukraine nuclear war threat: The increased nuclear tension poses a significant danger to Ukraine. Learn about the escalating tensions and potential repercussions.[3]
[1]<\wbr>"What to do during a nuclear accident?" – CNN, (2019, May 2)[2]<\wbr>"Damage to Chernobyl nuclear plant's protective shield after Russian drone attack" – CBS News, (2023, February 15)[3]<\wbr>"Increasing nuclear tensions in Ukraine, explained" – Al Jazeera, (2023, February 25)
- President Zelenskyy took to social media platforms to remind the world about the Chernobyl disaster's 39th anniversary, urging everyone to reflect on the devastating nuclear event and its ongoing implications for climate-change, environmental-science, war-and-conflicts, and politics.
- During the commemorative event, a special focus was given to the science behind the disaster and the need for continuous research to mitigate the risk of a similar catastrophe in the future.
- The clean-up efforts at Chernobyl serve as a stark reminder of the importance of nuclear safety and the urgent need for global action to address climate-change and protect our planet's environment.
- As tensions continue between Ukraine and Russia, concerns over war-and-conflicts and potential nuclear threats remain high, emphasizing the need for diplomatic resolutions and international collaboration to ensure peace and security in the region.
- On social media, Ukrainians shared personal stories, photos, and messages honoring the liquidators and victims of the Chernobyl disaster, calling for increased awareness and vigilance in the face of ongoing nuclear risks in Ukraine and beyond.
