Ukrainians commemorate 40 years since Chernobyl disaster amid war

On April 26, 2026, Ukrainians gathered in the city of Slavutych to mark the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Despite wartime curfews and official warnings against large gatherings, residents held a candlelight vigil in the central square, placing candles on a large radiation hazard symbol.

The commemoration began at midnight and honoured those who died in the 1986 disaster as well as the thousands of "liquidators" who risked deadly radiation exposure to contain its aftermath.

The explosion at the Chernobyl plant was initially concealed by Soviet authorities for two days, during which radioactive fallout spread across Europe.

The disaster resulted in the deaths of about 30 workers within months due to the explosion or acute radiation sickness.

It also exposed millions in Ukraine and Belarus to dangerous radiation levels, forcing the permanent evacuation of hundreds of towns and villages.

Slavutych, located approximately 50 kilometres from the former plant, was built starting in late 1986 to house workers from the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and their families.

The first residents moved in around 1988.

Since then, the city has faced challenges including a brief Russian occupation during the early days of the current war and harsh winters with power outages.

The annual vigil underscores the ongoing risks posed by radiation in the region and highlights the continuing displacement caused by both the nuclear disaster and the current conflict.

The war has deepened difficulties in managing the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and affected the lives of those living nearby.

The 40th anniversary comes amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has added new layers of hardship for residents in affected areas.

#Chernobyldisaster #Ukraine #Slavutych #nuclearaccident #warimpact