Editing Chernobyl exclusion zone (section)

==History==

===Pre-1986: Before the Chernobyl nuclear disaster===
Historically and geographically, the zone is the heartland of the [[Polesia]] region. This predominantly [[Rural area|rural]] [[woodland]] and [[marsh]]land area was once home to 120,000 people living in the cities of [[Chernobyl]] and [[Pripyat]] as well as 187 smaller communities,<ref name="iaeafaqs">{{cite web |url=http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/features/chernobyl-15/cherno-faq.shtml |title=IAEA Frequently Asked Chernobyl Questions |publisher=[[International Atomic Energy Agency]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223010003/http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/features/chernobyl-15/cherno-faq.shtml |archive-date=23 February 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 April 2012}}</ref> but is now mostly uninhabited. All settlements remain designated on geographic maps but marked as {{lang|ru|нежил.}} ({{lang|ru-Latn|nezhyl.}}) – "[[Ghost town|uninhabited]]". The woodland in the area around Pripyat was a focal point of [[partisan (military)|partisan resistance]] during the [[Second World War]], which allowed evacuated residents to evade guards and return into the woods.<ref name="mould2000" /> In the woodland near the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]] stood the "Partisan's Tree" or "Cross Tree", which was used to hang captured partisans. The tree fell down due to age in 1996 and a memorial now stands at its location.

===1986: Soviet exclusion zones===
[[File:Partisan's tree chernobyl.jpg|thumb|alt=A tree in an odd shape, somewhat like a trident. In the background is the power plant|The [[oak]] Partisan's Tree or Cross Tree. The power plant is visible in the background.]]

==== 10-kilometre and 30-kilometre radius ====
{{For|details of the evacuation after the disaster|Chernobyl disaster#Evacuation}}
The Exclusion Zone was established on {{Start date|df=yes|1986|05|02}} soon after the Chernobyl disaster, when a [[Soviet]] government commission headed by [[Nikolai Ryzhkov]]<ref name="Oskolkovetal">{{Cite conference|last1=Bondarkov|first1=Mikhail D.|last2=Oskolkov|first2=Boris Ya.|last3=Gaschak|first3=Sergey P.|last4=Kireev|first4=Sergey I.|last5=Maksimenko|first5=Andrey M.|last6=Proskura|first6=Nikolai I.|last7=Jannik|first7=G. Timothy|year=2011|title=Environmental Radiation Monitoring in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone - History and Results 25 Years After|location=US|publisher=Savannah River National Laboratory / Savannah River Nuclear Solutions}}</ref>{{rp|4}} decided on a "rather arbitrary"<ref name="marples1988" />{{rp|161}} area of a {{Convert|30|km||0|adj=on}} radius from Reactor 4 as the designated evacuation area. The 30&nbsp;km Zone was initially divided into three subzones: the area immediately adjacent to Reactor 4, an area of approximately {{Convert|10|km||0|abbr=on}} radius from the reactor, and the remaining 30&nbsp;km zone. Protective clothing and available facilities varied between these subzones.<ref name="marples1988" />

Later in 1986, after updated maps of the contaminated areas were produced, the zone was split into three areas to designate further evacuation areas based on the revised dose limit of 100&nbsp;[[Sievert|mSv]].<ref name=Oskolkovetal />{{rp|4}}
*the "Black Zone" (over 200&nbsp;μSv·h<sup>−1</sup>), to which evacuees were never to return
*the "Red Zone" (50–200&nbsp;μSv·h<sup>−1</sup>), where evacuees might return once radiation levels normalized
*the "Blue Zone" (30–50&nbsp;μSv·h<sup>−1</sup>), where children and pregnant women were evacuated starting in the summer of 1986
Special permission for access and full military control was put in place in late 1986.<ref name="marples1988" /> Although evacuations were not immediate, 91,200 people were eventually evacuated from these zones.<ref name="mould2000" />{{rp|104}}

In November 1986, control over activities in the zone was given to the new production association ''Kombinat''. Based in the evacuated city of Chernobyl, the association's responsibility was to operate the power plant, decontaminate the 30&nbsp;km zone, supply materials and goods to the zone, and construct housing outside the new town of [[Slavutych]] for the power plant personnel and their families.<ref name="marples1988" />{{rp|162}}

In March 1989, a "Safe Living Concept" was created for people living in contaminated zones beyond the Exclusion Zone in Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia.<ref name="Petryna" />{{rp|p.49}} In October 1989, the Soviet government requested assistance from the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] (IAEA) to assess the "Soviet Safe Living Concept" for inhabitants of contaminated areas.<ref name="Petryna" />{{rp|p.52}} "Throughout the Soviet period, an image of containment was partially achieved through selective resettlements and territorial delineations of contaminated zones."<ref name="Petryna" />{{rp|p.49}}

=== Post-1991: Independent Ukraine ===
[[File:Chernobyl radiation map 1996.svg|thumb|Radiation levels in 1996, according to a map from a CIA handbook]]
{{See also|Ukraine#Independence|l1=Ukrainian independence}}
In February 1991, the [[Law of Ukraine (legislation)|law]] ''On The Legal Status of the Territory Exposed to the Radioactive Contamination resulting from the ChNPP Accident'' was passed, updating the borders of the Exclusion Zone and defining obligatory and voluntary resettlement areas, and areas for enhanced monitoring. The borders were based on soil deposits of [[strontium-90]], [[caesium-137]], and [[plutonium]] as well as the calculated dose rate (sieverts/h) as identified by the [[National Commission for Radiation Protection of Ukraine]].<ref name="Nasvit">{{Cite journal|last=Nasvit|first=Oleg|year=1998|title=Legislation in Ukraine about the Radiological Consequences of the Chernobyl Accident|url=http://www.rri.kyoto-u.ac.jp/NSRG/reports/kr21/kr21pdf/Nasvit1.pdf|journal=Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute|volume=25|pages=51–57}}</ref> Responsibility for monitoring and coordination of activities in the Exclusion Zone was given to the Ministry of Chernobyl Affairs.

In-depth studies were conducted from 1992 to 1993, completing an update of the 1991 law followed by further evacuations from the Polesia area.<ref name=Oskolkovetal /> A number of evacuation zones were determined: the "Exclusion Zone", the "Zone of Absolute (Mandatory) Resettlement", and the "Zone of Guaranteed Voluntary Resettlement", as well as many areas throughout Ukraine designated as areas for [[radiation monitoring]].<ref name="ICRINzonesmap" /> The evacuation of contaminated areas outside of the Exclusion Zone continued in both the compulsory and voluntary resettlement areas, with 53,000 people evacuated from areas in Ukraine from 1990 to 1995.<ref name="mould2000" />

After [[Declaration of Independence of Ukraine|Ukrainian Independence]], funding for the policing and protection of the zone was initially limited, resulting in even further settling by ''[[samosely]]'' (returnees) and other illegal intrusion.<ref name=Samosely01 /><ref name=Samosely02 />

In 1997, the areas of [[Poliske Raion|Poliske]] and [[Narodychi Raion|Narodychi]], which had been evacuated, were added to the existing area of the Exclusion Zone, and the zone now encompasses the exclusion zone and parts of the zone of Absolute (Mandatory) Resettlement of an area of approximately {{Convert|2,600|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name=Oskolkovetal /> This Zone was placed under management of the 'Administration of the exclusion zone and the zone of absolute (mandatory) resettlement' within the [[Ministry of Emergencies (Ukraine)|Ministry of Emergencies]].

On 15 December 2000, all nuclear power production at the power plant ceased after an official ceremony with then-President [[Leonid Kuchma]] when the last remaining operational reactor, number 3, was shut down.<ref>{{cite web|title=IAEA's Power Reactor Information System polled in May 2008 reports shut down for units 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively|url=http://www.iaea.org/programmes/a2/|access-date=25 April 2012}}</ref>

In May 2025, it was reported that around 100 hectares of land in the Chernobyl exclusion zone had contamination drop to a level safe enough to allow farming to commence in those areas.<ref>https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/chernobyl-nuclear-disaster-farm-contamination-b2745469.html</ref><ref>https://ca.news.yahoo.com/chernobyl-farmland-found-fit-farming-081525843.html</ref>

==== Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022–present) ====
{{Further|Capture of Chernobyl|Environmental impact of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|label1=Battle of Chernobyl}}

The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone was the site of fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces during the [[Capture of Chernobyl|Battle of Chernobyl]] on 24 February 2022, as part of the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref name=DohertySaric>{{cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/ukraine-zelensky-chernobyl-nuclear-power-plant-2f549a11-6bc3-466c-bf30-23fafb41b3a3.html |title=Russian military forces seize Chernobyl nuclear plant |author=Erin Doherty, Ivana Saric |date=2022-02-24 |website=axios.com |publisher=Axios |access-date=2022-02-25 |quote=}}</ref> Russian forces reportedly captured the plant the same day.<ref name=MSN1>{{cite web |title=Chernobyl nuclear power plant under control of Russian troops, says Ukrainian President |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/newslondon/chernobyl-nuclear-power-plant-under-control-of-russian-troops-says-ukrainian-president/ar-AAUfZWm |website=MSN |access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref>

Facilities at Chernobyl still require ongoing management, in part to ensure the continued cooling of spent nuclear fuel. An estimated 100 plant workers and 200 Ukrainian guards who were at the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]] when the Russians arrived had been unable to leave. Normally they would change shifts daily and would not live at the site. They had limited supplies of medication, food, and electricity.<ref name="Tobias">{{cite news |last1=Tobias |first1=Ben |title=Ukraine war: Chernobyl workers' 12-day ordeal under Russian guard |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60638949 |access-date=11 March 2022 |work=BBC News |date=7 March 2022}}</ref>

According to Ukrainian reports, the radiation levels in the exclusion zone increased after the invasion.<ref>{{cite web|date=2022-02-24|title=Scientists Track Radioactive Dangers after Russian Attack Chernobyl Plant in Ukraine|url=https://weatherboy.com/scientists-track-radioactive-dangers-after-russian-attack-chernobyl-plant-in-ukraine/|access-date=2022-02-25|website=Weatherboy|language=en-US}}</ref> The higher levels are believed to be a result of disturbance of radioactive dust by the military activity<ref name="Tobias"/> or possibly incorrect readings caused by cyberattacks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-nuclear-agency-reports-higher-chernobyl-radiation-levels-due-heavy-2022-02-25/ |title=Ukraine reports higher Chernobyl radiation after Russians capture plant |author=Pavel Polityuk and Forrest Crellin |date=2022-02-25 |website=.reuters.com |publisher=Reuters |access-date=2022-02-25 |quote=}}</ref>

On 10 March, the International Atomic Energy Agency stated that it had lost all contact with Chernobyl.<ref>{{cite web|last=Child |first=David |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/10/ukraine-tells-iaea-it-lost-contact-chernobyl-plant-liveblog |title=Latest Ukraine updates: UN stresses 'urgent' need for talks {{pipe}} Russia-Ukraine War News |publisher=Al Jazeera |date= 11 March 2022|accessdate=2022-03-13}}</ref>

On 22 March, the Ukrainian state agency responsible for the Chernobyl exclusion zone reported that Russian forces had destroyed a new laboratory at the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant|Chernobyl nuclear power plant]]. The laboratory, which opened in 2015, worked to improve the management of radioactive waste, among other things. "The laboratory contained highly active samples and samples of radionuclides that are now in the hands of the enemy, which we hope will harm itself and not the civilized world", the agency said in its statement.<ref>{{Cite news |last=AP |date=2022-03-23 |title=Russians forces destroy laboratory in Chernobyl nuclear power plant |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/russians-forces-destroy-laboratory-in-chernobyl-nuclear-power-plant-122032300155_1.html |access-date=2022-03-23}}</ref>

On 27 March, [[Lyudmila Denisova]], then–[[Verkhovna Rada]] Commissioner for Human Rights, said that 31 known individual fires covering 10,000 hectares were burning in the zone.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Пожежа біля ЧАЕС: у зоні відчуження через бойові дії горить понад 10 тис га лісу - Денісова |url=https://www.unian.ua/war/pozhezha-bilya-chaes-u-zoni-vidchuzhennya-cherez-boyovi-diji-gorit-ponad-10-tis-ga-lisu-denisova-novini-vtorgnennya-rosiji-v-ukrajinu-11761828.html |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=www.unian.ua |date=27 March 2022 |language=uk}}</ref> These fires caused "...an increased level of radioactive air pollution", according to Denisova. Firefighters were unable to reach the fires due to the Russian forces in the area. These wildfires are seasonal; one fire that was 11,500 hectares in size took place in [[2020 Chernobyl Exclusion Zone wildfires|2020]], and a series of several smaller fires occurred throughout the [[Chernobyl Exclusion Zone#Grass and forest fires|2010s]].

On 31 March, it was reported that most of the Russian troops occupying Chernobyl withdrew. An Exclusion Zone employee made a post on Facebook suggesting that Russian troops were suffering from [[acute radiation sickness]], based on a photo of military buses unloading near a radiation hospital in Belarus.<ref name=Metro1>[https://metro.co.uk/2022/03/31/chernobyl-withdrawn-russian-troops-suffering-radiation-poisoning-16377485/ Dozens of Russian troops 'fall ill with radiation poisoning' at Chernobyl]</ref><ref name=DailyBeast1>[https://www.thedailybeast.com/russian-troops-suffer-acute-radiation-sickness-after-digging-chernobyl-trenches Russian Troops Suffer 'Acute Radiation Sickness' After Digging Chernobyl Trenches]</ref> Chernobyl operator [[Energoatom]] claimed that Russian troops had dug trenches in the most contaminated part of the Chernobyl exclusion zone, receiving "significant doses" of radiation.<ref name="Chernoby60945666B"/> ''[[BBC News]]'' reported unconfirmed reports that some were being treated in Belarus.<ref name="Chernoby60945666B">[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60945666 Ukraine war: Russian troops leave Chernobyl, Ukraine says], [[BBC News]] (1 April 2022)</ref>

On 3 April, Ukrainian forces retook the Chernobyl power plant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rushton |first=Jimmy |title=Ukrainian forces in full control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the district of Pripyat and the area of the State Border of Ukraine with the Republic of Belarus.🇺🇦 |url=https://twitter.com/jimmysecuk/status/1510550414365757440 |access-date=2022-04-03 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref>