Chernobyl's 1986 disaster still echoes in lives and landscapes today

Forty years ago today, on April 26, 1986, a catastrophic accident occurred at the Vladimir Ilyich Lenin Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. A massive release of radioactive materials spewed into the environment from the destroyed Reactor Four: lives were lost, others suffered grave injuries, and vast territories were contaminated. The consequences of this worst nuclear disaster in the history of civilian atomic energy were so severe that eliminating them required the combined efforts of firefighters, nuclear energy specialists, scientists, military personnel, engineers, construction workers, medical professionals, and many others. From the first day of the disaster through the end of 1990, nearly 600,000 Soviet citizens took part in the cleanup operations.

In the Russian Federation, April 26 is observed as the Day of Participants in the Elimination of Radiation Accidents and Disasters and a day of remembrance for their victims. Today, we honor the heroes who perished in the early days and those who later succumbed to illnesses caused by exposure to high doses of radiation.

I extend my deepest gratitude to the liquidators of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster for their courage, self-sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to professional and civic duty. I wish you all strong health, prosperity for your families, success in all endeavors, and peaceful skies above.