Serhi Makluk first arrived at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986 just before the explosion. He considered it a war – until he got into a real war this spring.
CHERNOBYL An ice rink-shaped containment bathes in the sun’s rays. The radioactive remnants of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant’s four reactors are burning in the shell.
The molten core of the reactor must be approached 400 meters away. In it, the radiation meter beats at about ten times faster pace than in Finland.
The radiation dose is still not dangerous, the higher one is already available on the plane. However, there are places nearby that aren’t worth camping out – not even if you break into a nuclear power plant with an armored car.
Russian troops occupied the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear power plant in February, right at the start of the war. The real goal was the conquest of Kiev, but Chernobyl happened along the way.
“The soldiers only knew that the radiation was dangerous, but nothing more than that,” says the shift manager at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Serhi Makluk.
Makluk led the operation of the nuclear power plant for part of the occupation period. interviewed him at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in late May.
Some soldiers knew nothing about the accident
Some Russian soldiers were not even heard (go to another service) the worst nuclear accident in history in 1986, in which one reactor exploded and spread radioactive fallout across Europe.
Ukrainian state nuclear power company According to Energoatom (you switch to another service) Russian soldiers built fortifications in the most polluted area, the so-called Red Forest, and even received symptoms of radiation sickness.
However, a representative of the nuclear power plant interviewed by denies the allegation.
– The soldiers did not dig anything in the Red Forest, it was an invention of some journalists. Yes, they dug in another place that is less polluted, says shift manager Makluk.
‘s filming team got to see the roadblocks, trenches and fortifications built by the Russians. For example, a fireplace station built at an intersection was assembled from Russian sacks of grain filled with sand.
Other structures are bouncy. Three-legged armor-shaped stands assembled from, among other things, arm-thick birch are placed across the road.
“Thank God they didn’t touch the Red Forest,” says Makluk.
The Russians destroyed and stole whatever they could
The war has hampered the operation of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in many ways.
Most of the workers now live in the town of Slavutych on the opposite bank of the Dnieper River, which was transported by rail via Belarus. Now the track is broken and the connection is being replaced by a longer bus service.
The power plant has not produced electricity since 2000. However, the safe closure of the power plant will take decades and will require the work of around 2,500 people.
Most employees are responsible for overseeing the handling of nuclear fuel and the aftercare of the Chernobyl nuclear accident.
According to Makluk, the ratio of workers to occupiers had to be frozen. They talked as little as possible and only about things necessary for work.
– We told them directly that you are occupiers and attackers and not liberators, Makluk says.
– We saw them stealing several cars, driving them to scrap and abandoning them. They were unguarded cars on the street, Makluk says.
More than 300 cars were lost or destroyed.
Worse then came as the Russian attack shielded the suburbs of Kiev, and Russian soldiers began to prepare to retreat back to the Belarusian side.
– On the last day, they hit the doors of all the offices. They stole you know what. We saw them cart off at least computers and electric heaters, Makluk says.
The soldiers stole about 700 computers and their accompanying valuable programs designed specifically for the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
The accident and occupation were similar situations of war
Makluk’s own career at the nuclear power plant began 36 years ago, coincidentally just before the Chernobyl accident. He first arrived at the power plant as a trainee on Friday, April 25, 1986, the day before the accident.
However, the young novice was not immediately found in the power plant, so he was ordered to the free city of Pripyat. A lucky coincidence could save his life or his health.
The model city of Pripyat, built as a residence for power plant workers, is located three kilometers from the accident reactor.
The disaster has etched deep into Makluk’s memory.
According to Makluk, workers at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant acted heroically after the accident. Many lost their lives trying to limit the effects of the accident.
– They did their job without knowing what had happened. And I have even more respect for those who knew about the danger of the situation but still prevented an even bigger accident, Makluk says.
According to Makluk, during the Russian occupation, the situation was very similar to when the reactor melted.
– We tend to talk about the Chernobyl accident as a “war”. I didn’t think I should ever say that word again, Makluk says.
According to Makluk, however, the occupation brought out the best in the people. Everyone performed their duties despite the difficulties.
– I am very proud of it professionally, Makluk says.
Mine danger keeps tourists at bay
The Chernobyl accident has interested people all over the world. The nuclear power plant and the city of Pripyat have been the main attractions in Ukraine.
The evacuation of Pripyat in 1986 began one and a half days after the accident. Since then, the city has deteriorated, rusted and reforested. The desert city has become a dystopic subject especially for photographers. Ukraine would like the region to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
However, the war has so far suspended Chernobyl tourism. ‘s film crew was allowed to visit Pripyat with special permission – and at his own risk.
Even in normal times, access to the interiors of Pripyat’s buildings is prohibited by signs warning that the buildings are dangerous. There is now more cover for the warnings than before, as Russian troops sow mines in Pripyat, some of which are still unexploded.
So you have to look carefully at what you are stepping on and you should not deviate from the aisles.
Guide Serhi Teslenkon according to them, mines are currently the only risk in Pripyat – if the insect invasion in early summer is not counted. Mäkäräinen-looking bugs flock tightly around their few human victims.
– The radiation level of the routes used by visitors has been checked. So we can’t get to any places that are dangerous to health. In addition, we always have a radiation meter, Teslenko says.
On the edge of Pripyat’s central square is a ruined supermarket, with rusty shopping carts still scattering. At the foot of the store stairs, Teslenko shows a point marked as an exceptionally highly radiant place.
The radiation meter in Teslenko’s hand starts to crack at an accelerating pace.
– Here the amount of radiation is high. The normal reading is 0.3 microsieverts per hour, but here it is 25, which is almost a hundred times higher than usual, Teslenko says.
It is known that the risks of radiation are slowly but surely diminishing.
On the other hand, no one knows for sure about Russia’s risk – whether the danger is over or whether the occupying soldiers could still return here.
Then Chernobyl would be at the feet of the war again.