Kyiv, Ukraine – Located 81 miles north of the Ukrainian capital lies the haunting site of the Chernobyl Power Complex, infamous for the worst nuclear power plant accident in history. The once vibrant towns surrounding the complex now stand abandoned, bearing witness to the catastrophic event that unfolded on April 26, 1986. The explosion at the plant’s fourth nuclear reactor not only devastated the country but also led to an initial death toll of 31 individuals. However, the disaster could have been far more catastrophic if it weren’t for the brave actions of three individuals – Alexei Ananenko, Valeri Bespalov, and Boris Baranov, known as the “Suicide Squad.”
The United States Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation details how the Chernobyl disaster transpired as a result of a devastating explosion at the No. 4 reactor of the nuclear power plant. Located near Pripyat, north of the Ukrainian SSR, the plant was a significant investment in nuclear power post-WWII. The construction of an artificial lake beside the Pripyat river aimed to provide cooling water for the reactors.
Routine maintenance on the 4th reactor on April 25, 1986, took a disastrous turn when workers violated safety protocols, triggering a power surge that led to two explosions within the plant. The subsequent nuclear core explosion released a dangerous amount of radioactive material into the atmosphere. Despite efforts by firefighters to contain the fire, the situation escalated beyond control.
Following the explosion, two plant workers lost their lives, and 28 individuals succumbed to acute radiation syndrome within weeks. A mass evacuation of 350,000 people from the affected area took place as the disaster released a staggering amount of radiation into the atmosphere, contaminating millions of acres of land. The aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster was a sobering reminder of the dangers of nuclear power.
In the days following the explosion, a terrifying discovery was made – the core of the 4th nuclear reactor was still melting down, posing a grave risk of a second explosive event. It was in this critical moment that Ananenko, Bespalov, and Baranov courageously volunteered for a dangerous mission to prevent further catastrophe. Diving into dark, radioactive-inflicted waters, the trio successfully drained the pool beneath the reactor, averting a second explosion and saving countless lives.
Their heroic actions were recognized with the “Order For Courage” by then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in 2018. Despite the risks they faced, all three divers survived the mission, with Ananenko and Bespalov still alive in 2024. The legacy of their bravery and selflessness lives on, immortalized in HBO’s acclaimed drama series “Chernobyl.”