The Chornobyl*  disaster was the result of a reactor experiment ordered by Moscow, in violation of safety protocols, and followed by lies and cover-ups. To this day, the world has to face consequences brought by a totalitarian system that subordinated truth and science to ideology and political power.

▪️ In total, 8.5 million people were exposed to radiation. 

▪️ Over 145,000 square kilometres were contaminated, with radioactive traces recorded across several countries. 

▪️ 10 kilometres around the plant will not be safe for 20,000 years.

▪️ Over 300,000 people were forced to leave their homes forever.

▪️ The disaster created costs that lasted for decades, from contaminated land to damaged infrastructure.

As Russia continues to threaten global nuclear security, the world must unite to prevent another disaster.

Over 600,000 people were sent to contain the consequences of the Chornobyl disaster. The Soviet regime dispatched firefighters, engineers, and soldiers – in the early stages following the disaster, they were unaware of the true scale of the danger.

They built the first shelter, cleared radioactive debris, and stopped the catastrophe from spreading further. Their actions limited the impact of a disaster that could have been far worse.

We remember and honour their courage and the price they paid. Their contribution and sacrifice are a reminder that safety must never be taken for granted.

The Chornobyl disaster, the world's biggest nuclear catastrophe, was a verdict on the Soviet system – its crimes, lies, and disregard for human life. Today, as Moscow once again undermines global nuclear security, the international community must unite to prevent another catastrophe.

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*  “Chornobyl” is the only correct spelling Ukraine asks the world to use.

Using Ukrainian transliterations respects Ukraine’s language and culture and moves away from Russian forms that were imposed by Russia during the Soviet era. It is also part of a wider effort to decolonise language and correct long-standing imbalances in global usage.

Using the correct transliteration for a place in Ukraine affirms recognition of Ukraine as a sovereign state – a fact Russia tries to deny. 

We welcome the decision of states and international organisations to adopt the Ukrainian spelling of Chornobyl, including in the UN resolution of December 10, 2025.

Like Kyiv, Chornobyl reflects Ukrainian pronunciation and thus aligns with the global practice of updating place names for linguistic correctness. The successful shift from the Russian spelling “Kiev” to the Ukrainian “Kyiv” is a clear example of this trend. 

All Ukrainian cities deserve to have their names rendered correctly.