Memorial Day for the Liquidators and Victims of Radiation Accidents and Catastrophes Date in the current year: April 26, 2024

The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was situated in the Ukrainian city of Pripyat, located not far from the border with Belarus. The construction of the plant began in 1970 and reactor 1 was commissioned in 1977.

The Chernobyl disaster occurred on April 26, 1986. A sudden and unexpected power surge led to the explosion of Reactor 4. Large quantities of radioactive particles were released into the atmosphere. Parts of Belarus, Ukraine and Russia were severely affected by contamination.

At least 41 people died during the accident itself or shortly after. From 1986 to 1992, between 600,000 and 1 million civilian and military personnel were involved in eliminating the consequences of the disaster and were exposed to some level of radiation. The entire city of Pripyat was evacuated a few days after the catastrophe and is now abandoned.

Memorial Day for the Victims of Radiation Accidents and Catastrophes was established in Russia in 1993. In 2012, the name of the observance was changed to include the people who have participated in the elimination of the consequences of nuclear accident.

In Ukraine and the rest of the world, April 26 is observed as International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day; Ukrainian liquidators are honored on December 14 (Chernobyl Liquidators Day).