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A tolling bell in northern Ukraine began a series of ceremonies marking 40 years since the deadly Chernobyl nuclear meltdown.
Ukraine commemorates 40 years since the Chernobyl disaster amid fears of nuclear risks due to Russia's war and ongoing threats to nuclear sites.
Key Takeaways
- The Chernobyl disaster's legacy continues to impact Ukraine and global nuclear safety discussions.
- Ongoing conflict in Ukraine raises new nuclear safety concerns, especially around key nuclear sites.
- International efforts are crucial to maintain and repair nuclear safety infrastructure damaged by conflict.
- Recognition and support for Chernobyl liquidators remain important due to their health struggles.
- Peace negotiations must address control of nuclear facilities to prevent further disasters.
Summary
- Ukraine marked the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster with ceremonies in northern Ukraine.
- The disaster exposed millions to radiation and forced hundreds of thousands to flee, with long-term health effects still debated.
- Liquidators who cleaned up after the blast were not acknowledged by Soviet officials for related illnesses.
- 31 workers and firemen died immediately from radiation sickness; thousands more have died from related illnesses since.
- The anniversary has heightened significance amid Russia's invasion and missile attacks near nuclear sites in Ukraine.
- A Russian drone strike damaged the protective shield over the Chernobyl sarcophagus in February 2023.
- The protective steel and concrete arc installed in 2016 requires over $580 million in repairs according to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
- IAEA chief Rafael Grossi emphasized the urgent need for repairs after meeting Ukraine's energy minister.
- Control of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remains a critical issue in peace talks.
- President Zelenskyy warned that the Zaporizhzhia plant risks a disaster worse than Chernobyl if not returned to Ukrainian control.
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
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The anniversary on Sunday came amid lingering fears that Russia's ongoing war could spark a repeat of the world's worst nuclear disaster.
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Millions were exposed to radiation, hundreds of thousands forced to flee, and large stretches of land contaminated after an accidental explosion at the Soviet-built plant on April 26, 1986.
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In Kyiv, Ukrainian officials and so-called liquidators gathered at a memorial.
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Hundreds of thousands of liquidators were sent in to the nuclear plant to clean up after the blast as Soviet authorities tried to hide the scale of the disaster.
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One of them, Serhiy Balashov, said Soviet officials also refused to acknowledge links between the cleaners' illnesses and them cleaning up in Chernobyl.
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31 plant workers and firemen died in the immediate aftermath, mostly from acute radiation sickness.
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Thousands of others have since succumbed to radiation-related illnesses such as cancer.
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Although the total death toll and long-term health effects remain a subject of intense debate.
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Marking the disaster, which spewed radioactive material across much of Europe, has taken on sharp new meaning as Russia invades its smaller neighbor.
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Kyiv says Moscow has repeatedly sent missiles and drones near the plant during attacks on Ukrainian cities.
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A Russian drone strike damaged a critical protective shield in February last year, officials said.
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The steel and concrete arc was installed with international effort in 2016 to shield the original sarcophagus.
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Hurriedly built in 1986 to cover tons of radioactive debris.
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No leaks were detected, but more than 580 million dollars worth of repairs are needed.
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According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
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After meeting Ukraine's energy minister on Sunday, International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said.
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Repairs need to start as soon as possible.
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Leaving the situation as is now is problematic.
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Control of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is also a major sticking point in US-brokered peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow.
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Speaking in the Ukrainian capital on Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the station risks a disaster worse than Chernobyl.
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If it was not transferred back to Ukrainian control.
Topics:ChernobylUkrainenuclear disasterliquidatorsradiationRussia-Ukraine warZaporizhzhia nuclear plantIAEAnuclear safetyZelenskyy
