2/ As you can see in the drone footage above, I’ve recently visited the Chernobyl's exclusion zone in the Ukraine. This is a restricted 30 km wide circle around the #Chernobyl nuclear reactor.
For people who also want to go, here are some tips I want to share with you.
For people who also want to go, here are some tips I want to share with you.
3/ You can’t just enter the 30 km wide #Chernobyl exclusion zone, you need a permission. Best to check online for one of the many Ukrainian tour operators organizing Chernobyl trips.
Beware: You need extra permission to fly a drone so ask your tour operator.
Beware: You need extra permission to fly a drone so ask your tour operator.
4/ You can't visit alone or in ur own vehicle. So most people visit #Chernobyl from Kiev for one day by bus. But that's 2.5 hours up and 2.5 hours down, so you will spend most of your day in a bus ¬ in Chernobyl.
Better go for 2 days &spend a night in 1of 3 Chernobyl hotels.
Better go for 2 days &spend a night in 1of 3 Chernobyl hotels.
5/ How close can you get to notorious Chernobyl reactor 4?
Nearest you can get is about 400 meters. So you can see the reactor and sarcophagus very clearly.
If you carry a Geiger counter, you'll notice radiation levels are lower near to reactor than at some spots further away.
Nearest you can get is about 400 meters. So you can see the reactor and sarcophagus very clearly.
If you carry a Geiger counter, you'll notice radiation levels are lower near to reactor than at some spots further away.
6/ Do people still live in Chernobyl?
Yes. In Chernobyl city (13 kms from Reactor Nr 4) about 7000 workers live on and off for max two weeks a month. They work in shifts at plant &keep public services running in Chernobyl area. Nevertheless, Chernobyl feels like a ghost city.
Yes. In Chernobyl city (13 kms from Reactor Nr 4) about 7000 workers live on and off for max two weeks a month. They work in shifts at plant &keep public services running in Chernobyl area. Nevertheless, Chernobyl feels like a ghost city.
7/ Is the rest of Chernobyl exclusion zone empty?
Almost. Pripyat is located 3 kms from reactor. Here 50.000 ppl lived, now totally abandoned. Its buildings crumble, nature took over.
In nearby villages 100 elderly people live, they refused to leave in 1986 or returned in 1987.
Almost. Pripyat is located 3 kms from reactor. Here 50.000 ppl lived, now totally abandoned. Its buildings crumble, nature took over.
In nearby villages 100 elderly people live, they refused to leave in 1986 or returned in 1987.
8/ Due to the absence of people, everywhere in the #Chernobyl exclusion zone abandoned houses are crumbling, nature is taking over.
Everywhere there are trees and bushes. There are deers and foxes and if you are lucky – as we were - you'll see wild horses.
Everywhere there are trees and bushes. There are deers and foxes and if you are lucky – as we were - you'll see wild horses.
9/ Is it dangerous to visit #Chernobyl exclusion zone?
No, you won't come back glowing in the dark. According to the Ukrainian authorities it is not dangerous to visit. Radiation levels are acceptable.
Nevertheless, don’t touch anything, wear closed shoes and long sleeves.
No, you won't come back glowing in the dark. According to the Ukrainian authorities it is not dangerous to visit. Radiation levels are acceptable.
Nevertheless, don’t touch anything, wear closed shoes and long sleeves.
10/ Don’t pick up things from the ground and take with you as souvenirs. It might be radioactive. It is also forbidden, authorities check when you leave.
Buy a souvenir at one of the tourist shops at exclusion zone's entry point. I threw away my clothes after my Chernobyl visit.
Buy a souvenir at one of the tourist shops at exclusion zone's entry point. I threw away my clothes after my Chernobyl visit.
11/ After #ChernobylHBO tv series, more &more tourists visit the area. Great for Ukraine economy. But do show some respect.
This is obviously not ur average holiday destination. It's where world's worst nuclear disaster happened. Over 130.000 people permanently lost their homes.
This is obviously not ur average holiday destination. It's where world's worst nuclear disaster happened. Over 130.000 people permanently lost their homes.
12/ Btw, most of drone footage was filmed in Pripyat.
In Chernobyl city Ukr's last Lenin statue @ 34 sec &only open church @ 39 sec.
The enormous structure @ 1.14 min is Duga radar installation, located inside the exclusion zone: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duga_radar
In Chernobyl city Ukr's last Lenin statue @ 34 sec &only open church @ 39 sec.
The enormous structure @ 1.14 min is Duga radar installation, located inside the exclusion zone: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duga_radar
13/ Thank you all for your attention.
If you have any question, let me know.
If you have any question, let me know.
