Ukrainians commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster on April 26 with solemn ceremonies, as President Volodymyr Zelensky joined citizens in honoring victims and first responders while warning of ongoing nuclear risks amid war.
Zelensky laid a candle at a memorial site, joining officials and residents in a symbolic act of remembrance for those who died in the 1986 catastrophe, widely regarded as the worst civilian nuclear disaster in history.
Across the country, similar tributes unfolded, including a midnight vigil in the northern city of Slavutych, where participants arranged candles into a radiation hazard symbol and observed moments of silence.
The commemorations paid tribute not only to the immediate victims but also to the estimated 600,000 “liquidators” – firefighters, engineers, and workers who risked their lives to contain the fallout and prevent further devastation.
Many suffered long-term health consequences due to radiation exposure.
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Zelensky accuses Russia
Speaking at the event, according to The Strait Times, Zelensky emphasised that the legacy of Chernobyl remains deeply relevant. He accused Russia of “nuclear terrorism”, citing repeated military activity near nuclear facilities during the ongoing conflict, including drone incidents near the Chernobyl site.
Despite wartime dangers, Ukrainians continued to gather for memorials, underscoring resilience and collective memory.
Residents, some of whom were displaced by the original disaster, described the annual vigil as both a tribute and a reminder of enduring vulnerability.
Mass evacuations
The 1986 explosion at Reactor No. 4 released radioactive material across large parts of Europe, forcing mass evacuations and leaving vast areas uninhabitable.
Four decades later, the anniversary serves as a stark reflection on nuclear safety, human cost, and the persistent risks posed by conflict near sensitive sites.
As candles flickered across memorials nationwide, Ukraine marked the milestone with a unified message: remembrance, vigilance, and a call to prevent history from repeating itself.
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Wendellyn Mateo 
Adam Peaker 
Ciara Mina