The Chernobyl disaster is considered the most devastating nuclear accident in history. At 1:23 a.m. on April 26, 1986, a safety test at Chernobyl Power Plant caused two explosions in Ukraine. It was equivalent to 400 nuclear bombs. Instantly, two workers lost their lives, and another died in the next few months. HBO made a show called Chernobyl that talks a lot about the things that happened after the nuclear accident there. I have brought people’s attention back and provided a detailed account of its aftermath. But the number could have been even bigger if it weren’t for three brave men. The names of these angels were Alexei Ananenko, Valeri Bespalov, and Boris Baranov. They volunteered for a very dangerous job that many thought would kill them. After showing this bravery, people started calling them “the suicide squad” because of their bravery.
Scientists don’t agree on how many people died because of the Chernobyl disaster. The World Health Organization says about 30000 people lost their lives because of it. However, the group called Chernobyl Union of Ukraine thinks it’s much higher, around 734,000, mainly from cancer.
Suicide Squad
A tragedy at a Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine caused a big explosion and released a lot of radiation. Many people died because of it, and it caused a lot of problems for a long time. But three brave volunteers agreed to do this dangerous job. They drained water from under the reactor. This water was a big danger because it could have caused another explosion if it touched the hot, clear stuff. That could have made things much worse, spreading even more radiation and causing more damage.
Also See: Unraveling the Enigma: The History Behind Red Forest
Armed with just wetsuits and flashlights, the three went into a dark basement filled with radioactive water. Their mission was clear: find and open important valves to stop things from getting worse. Despite the tough situation, they managed to do it, stopping a big disaster from happening.
Contrary to popular belief, the brave divers didn’t die afterward. Alexei Ananenko and Valeri Bespalov are believed to still be alive today. Sadly, Boris Baranov passed away in 2005, but not because of the mission. Their survival shows how strong and determined they were.
Hero of Ukraine
After the Chernobyl disaster, Ananenko has shared his experiences. He told people about the scary things they went through. Despite facing radiation sickness and tough processes, they stayed strong and never gave up. The bravery of the Chernobyl divers is remembered even today. In 2019, they were given the title of Hero of Ukraine.