Eng
Eng
Every year on April 26, Ukraine and the international community remember one of the most terrible man-made disasters — the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. This date unites three important events: Chernobyl Tragedy Day, the International Day of Remembrance for the Chernobyl Disaster, and the International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Radiation Accidents and Catastrophes.
On the night of April 26, 1986, an explosion occurred at the 4th power unit of the Chernobyl NPP, which caused a large-scale release of radioactive substances into the environment: radioactive cesium contaminated ¾ of the territory of Europe.
Millions of people were affected as a result of the accident, dozens of settlements were evacuated, and an exclusion zone of over 2,600 sq. km was created. The territories of Ukraine and Belarus were the most contaminated, and the radioactive wave reached most European countries.
This day was officially declared Chernobyl Day by a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR. On this day, we honor the memory of the dead, express gratitude to the liquidators of the accident, who at the cost of their lives stopped the further spread of the disaster.
For medical students, the history of Chernobyl is not only a story about the destroyed station and the evacuation of cities. It is also an example of a large-scale radiation disaster, the consequences of which reverberate for years. Doctors of that time faced challenges that no one was prepared for: acute radiation syndromes, severe burns, oncological diseases, and sometimes rare and unpredictable reactions of the body to radiation.
It is especially important to realize that among us there are people who know about Chernobyl not from books. One of them is Pavlo Iliodorovich Horyachev, PhD, Associate Professor of the Department of Psychiatry, Narcology, Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy. He is an officially recognized liquidator of the Chernobyl accident. He is a man who went through dangerous and extremely difficult conditions to help others without sparing himself. His experience and example are a real school of courage and professionalism, the embodiment of heroism, which is manifested not only on the battlefield, but also in a white coat.
Many medical workers, including military doctors and orderlies, worked in the exclusion zone in extremely difficult conditions. They treated the injured, took risks, often sacrificing their own health. These people became real heroes, although they are not talked about as often as liquidator engineers. Their contribution to saving human lives is invaluable.
The anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is not just a date. This is a moment when we remember those who saved others and realize that the role of medicine in such crises is enormous. Knowing the lessons of the past and having the opportunity to learn from such people, we are obliged not only to preserve knowledge, but also to carefully pass on memory. We say “thank you” to everyone who was there, who took risks and did not retreat. Their feat is not just history. It is our responsibility with you to remember, respect and continue the work of those who once saved this world.
Disasters like Chernobyl always expose the truth: medicine is not only science, but also service. In moments when familiar systems and boundaries collapse, it is doctors who remain by the side of a person, acting in conditions of uncertainty and risk. Preparing for such situations requires not only knowledge, but also strength of spirit, the ability to make decisions under stress and, most importantly, humanity. This is the essence of our profession, and this is what history obliges us to do.
During the invasion of Russian troops into the territory of our country, the Chernobyl NPP was occupied, as a result of which a new man-made disaster arose, and only thanks to the heroism of Ukrainian energy workers, security guards, employees of the State Emergency Service and soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine managed to avoid a new disaster.
And on the night of February 14, 2025, the Russian army attacked the sarcophagus over the destroyed 4th power unit with a strike drone. An explosion thundered at the Chernobyl NPP, the shelter was significantly damaged, which is absolutely unacceptable: any violation of the integrity of the protective coating can have extremely serious consequences not only for Ukraine, but also for all of Europe, for the whole world.
On this sorrowful spring day, everyone needs to think about it – politicians, scientists, and all people: technical progress is very fragile, and the reckless aggressive actions of the thieves of the world are capable of destroying nature and all life on our beautiful Earth…
… 
Ukr