Inside Chornobyl exclusion zone during war | Dare to Ukraine

In the sixth episode of Dare to Ukraine, we gain rare access to the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, known globally as the site of the catastrophic 1986 nuclear disaster and one of the most radioactive places on Earth.

While the area remains closed to visitors due to Russia’s war, join host Masha Lavrova as she ventures into Chornobyl’s haunting history: from the eerie ghost city of Prypiat and the towering Duga Radar Station to firsthand accounts from those who survived the 1986 disaster and endured the 2022 Russian occupation, this episode sheds light on the resilience of a place forever marked by its past, yet still fighting for its future.

00:00 - Introduction to Chornobyl
04:03 - Ghost city of Prypiat
06:21 - Interview with a liquidator
09:20 - Abandoned preschool
11:22 - The price of the Chornobyl disaster
13:22 - Radiation levels near reactor №4
14:32 - Russian occupation of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant
21:15 - A night in Chornobyl
24:40 - What is Duga Radar Station?
26:35 - Cultural influence: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game series, HBO series
27:15 - Illegal visitors or the real-life stalkers
29:24 - Visiting long-time residents of the exclusion zone
33:33- Conclusion and next steps

Team:
Executive producer & story editor: Toma Istomina
Director: Tetiana Koronkova
Host & scriptwriter: Masha Lavrova
Line producer: Valeriia Snopkova
Camera persons: Alexander Zabolotnyi, Anton Somin.
Video editor: Vladyslav Samusenko
Motion designer: Dana Loboda
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People in this episode:
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Additional footage:
Getty Images
Wikimedia Commons
The Central State CinePhotoPhono Archives of Ukraine named after H. Pshenychny
Drone footage - Anton Yukhymenko

[olveaustlid]

I have deep respect for the Chornobyl workers. Both the past and the present ones. You are heroes.

[brianfreeman]

My congratulations to the entire production team. Despite the depressing content, that was a remarkable film, and possibly the best I've seen from Chernobyl.

[grzejnikMilosz]

I thought I watched all the possible documents about Chornobyl, and nothing new or surprising could be added to the story. But I really enjoyed this one. So much positivity. I'm Pole and I feel a strongly positive connection to Ukrainians. Every person who was interviewed in this episode I felt and imagined them to be my friends or family. Slava Ukraini 💙💛❤

[toonmoene]

I am a physicist - 29 years old when "Chornobyl" happened ... Thank you for this down-to-earth episode.

[Mart]

Digging up dirt with radiation contamination and then chilling in there must be the stupidest activity a human being can come up with

[RPRosen-kifk]

I've now caught up and have seen the whole "Dare To Ukraine" series. It's fantastic and can't wait to see where they go next. I've become a fan of the host, and some of the other programming on the "Kyiv Independent" channel. Keep up the GREAT work.

[sverrehu]

It's a pity I can only give a single like. Love this series! Thank you for making it!

[Freesquirrel]

Hello Masha, that is a fascinating trip into Chernobyl exclusion zone. You have done a terrific video. Thank you for doing the trip for us viewers. You courage in doing so is appreciated.☺

[Ashfishi]

Dear Masha and Dare to Ukraine team, thank you for this thought provoking video. It was a massive tragedy and one that everyone hopes will never happen again. 💙💙💛💛

[am]

Thank you for this beautiful piece. I love that you showed the people, who have been there since the accident and continue to live there, even stronger. They are very inspiring.

[hogwashy]

Awesome video, loved all the people and their history with the area.

[rammagaming]

Didn't expect to see Stalker 2 on here. But it makes sense with the studio being Ukrainian. The prize should for this episode should have been a game key! Not sure what we'd be guessing on though.

[antonstoeckl]

When I delivered in May 2002 27 000 KG of humanitarian aid in a truck / trailer unit from Germany to Chernigov 30 KM from the nuclear disaster site. I asked Anatoly Ligun from the recipient organization to take me to the disaster area, he refused and told me that they are here very closed since the day one and have no desire to go to an area which they have not been able to leave ever since it happened.
At this time they have been in the process to issue a chronicle book of the nuclear explosion and the unfolding in the entire area. In the book are pictures from the German truck, the truck driver and myself.

[anntoinette]

Thank you for the trip to Chernobyl exclusion zone. It was really strange to see unbombed buildings. I enjoyed meeting the people who are there from the brave lady who broke a russions arm and the little grin she gave. To the generosity of the family who live there and test radiation in the food, your face eating the tomato 😂. Take care team and I look forward to the next trip 🥰

[icyusme]

Agree with others! One of the best youtube-videos I've seen for a long time!

[timsecord]

I automatically click on any video with Masha because no matter what the subject, I know it's going to be good!

[touraneindanke]

At first I thought…i can’t watch that in one sitting.
But the way you did put this together…the music and the silence…
I makes i possible to digest although the content isn’t presented more positive than needed.
Thanks for the wonderful work you and yr team did 🙏🏽

[GeekGamer]

This is one of the best things I've watched about this recently. It's nice to watch something that mentions the past but is focused on the Chornobyl of the present and the people that live there.

[kentonian]

Thank you Masha and the rest of the team. A beautiful video ❤

[frankshally]

Hello Masha, that is a fascinating trip into Chornobyl exclusion zone. You have done a terrific video. Thank you for making the trip for us viewers. Your courage in doing so is appreciated.