Today is April 26, 2025. Thirty-nine years ago, the world witnessed the catastrophic explosion at Reactor 4 of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. An event that not only scarred the Ukrainian landscape but also left an indelible mark on global consciousness.
In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, thousands of brave individuals—firefighters, engineers, scientists, and soldiers—risked and often sacrificed their lives to contain the disaster. Known as “liquidators,” these heroes came from all corners of the Soviet Union, representing a wide array of ethnicities, including Ukrainians, Russians, Belarusians, Armenians, Georgians, and others. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they united in their determination to stabilize the reactor and prevent an even greater catastrophe. Their heroism saved countless lives and mitigated the impact of one of the most devastating nuclear events in history.
The disaster led to the evacuation of entire communities, the exposure of countless individuals to harmful radiation, and a reevaluation of nuclear safety protocols worldwide. The New Safe Confinement structure, completed in 2016, stands as a testament to international cooperation and the enduring effort to secure the remnants of this tragedy.
Yet, history has a troubling way of echoing. On February 14, 2025, a Russian drone strike damaged the protective sarcophagus at Chornobyl. The drone strike ignited fires that smoldered for weeks. Fortunately, radiation levels remained within safe limits, thanks to the ingenuity and efficiency of Ukrainians once again stepping forward to protect the world. But the incident served as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that persist even decades later.
Further compounding concerns is the situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest. It has been under Kremlin control since 2022, just as Chornobyl was in 1986. Unsurprisingly, the facility has faced operational challenges, including compromised safety systems and a shortage of qualified personnel. Experts warn that restarting the plant without addressing these issues could be perilous. Ukrainians forcibly expelled from the plant are the only qualified personnel to operate it, yet all efforts by foreign interests seem focused on ensuring they cannot.
Nuclear energy, while a powerful tool, demands the utmost respect and caution. The lessons from Chornobyl are not relics of the past but urgent calls to action in our present. Yet those lessons are once again being ignored, as the mistakes of the past loom on the horizon.
Today, we honor the memory of those affected by Chornobyl 39 years ago—the residents whose lives were uprooted and the liquidators, who gave their lives to contain the danger and protect the rest of the world. We also honor the memory of Ukrainians who, since 2014 and especially since February 2022, continue to give their lives to protect the world from the criminal regime still occupying the Kremlin and attempting to re-occupy Ukraine.
Вічная пам’ять! Memory Eternal.
