History of Chernobyl in Timeline

Chernobyl is a partially abandoned city in Ukraine, located within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Prior to the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, it housed around 14,000 residents. The city was evacuated following the nuclear accident, but some residents have since returned to live in less irradiated areas. As of 2020, the estimated population was around 150 people. While living within the Exclusion Zone is technically illegal, Ukrainian authorities have generally tolerated this.

1902: Uncertain Founding Date

The Polish Geographical Dictionary from 1880-1902 stated that the founding date of Chernobyl was unknown.

October 1905: Pogroms Against Jewish Population

In October 1905, the Jewish population of Chernobyl suffered greatly from pogroms, with many killed or robbed at the instigation of the Russian nationalist Black Hundreds.

1910: Chodkiewicz Family Retains Property

Until 1910, the Chodkiewicz family owned a castle and a house in Chernobyl, even after selling the city to the state in 1896.

March 1918: Occupation by German Forces

In March 1918, during World War I, Chernobyl was occupied by German forces in accordance with the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.

April 1919: Further Pogroms Against Jewish Population

In March-April 1919, the Jewish population of Chernobyl suffered further pogroms, with many killed or robbed at the instigation of the Russian nationalist Black Hundreds.

1919: Polish-Soviet War

During the Polish–Soviet War of 1919–20, Chernobyl was taken first by the Polish Army and then by the cavalry of the Red Army.

1920: Twersky Dynasty Leaves Chernobyl

In 1920, the Twersky Dynasty left Chernobyl, causing it to cease existing as a center of Hasidism.

1921: Incorporation into Ukrainian SSR

From 1921 onwards, Chernobyl was officially incorporated into the Ukrainian SSR.

1923: Chernobyl Raion Administrative Center

From 1923 onwards, Chernobyl served as the administrative center of Chernobyl Raion.

1929: Killings During Collectivization

Starting in 1929, Chernobyl suffered killings during Stalin's collectivization campaign.

1933: Famine Due to Stalin's Policies

In 1933, Chernobyl was also affected by the famine that resulted from Stalin's policies.

1936: Deportation of Polish and German Community

In 1936, during the Frontier Clearances, the Polish and German community of Chernobyl was deported to Kazakhstan.

August 1941: German Occupation Begins

On August 25, 1941, during World War II, Chernobyl was occupied by the German Army.

November 1943: End of German Occupation

On November 17, 1943, the German Army's occupation of Chernobyl ended during World War II. The remaining 400 Jews were murdered during the Holocaust.

February 1970: Foundation of Pripyat

On February 4, 1970, Pripyat, an 'atomograd' city, was founded to serve the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

August 1972: Construction of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Begins

On August 15, 1972, construction began on the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, officially the Vladimir Ilyich Lenin Nuclear Power Plant, located about 15 km northwest of Chernobyl. It was the first nuclear power plant to be built in Ukraine.

1972: Chernobyl Chosen for Nuclear Power Plant

In 1972, Chernobyl was selected as the site for the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which led to the construction of Pripyat to house the plant's workers.

1972: Construction of Duga-1 Radio Receiver

In 1972, construction began on the Duga-1 radio receiver, part of the Duga over-the-horizon radar array, located 11 km west-northwest of Chernobyl. It was designed as part of an anti-ballistic missile early-warning radar network and was the origin of the Russian Woodpecker.

1977: Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Opens

In 1977, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant officially opened, located 15 kilometers north of Chernobyl.

April 1986: Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Disaster

On April 26, 1986, one of the reactors at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded due to improper execution of a scheduled test and design flaws of the RBMK reactor, leading to a loss of control and thermal runaway.

May 1986: Evacuation of Chernobyl and Pripyat

On May 5, 1986, nine days after the Reactor No. 4 explosion, the Soviet government began evacuating residents of Chernobyl and Pripyat in preparation for the disaster management.

May 1986: Evacuation of Chernobyl After Nuclear Disaster

On May 5, 1986, the city of Chernobyl was evacuated after the nuclear disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Residents, along with those of Pripyat, were relocated to Slavutych.

1986: Chernobyl Evacuation and Contamination Levels

In 1986, Chernobyl city was evacuated nine days after the Chernobyl disaster. The level of contamination with caesium-137 was around 555 kBq/m.

1986: Chernobyl Disaster and Evacuation

In 1986, the Chernobyl disaster led to the evacuation of the city. Prior to the evacuation, Chernobyl had approximately 14,000 residents.

1988: Dissolution of Chernobyl Raion

In 1988, Chernobyl Raion was dissolved and merged with Ivankiv Raion due to widespread radioactive contamination.

1991: Chernobyl Remains Part of Ukraine

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Chernobyl remained part of Ukraine within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, which Ukraine inherited from the Soviet Union.

1998: Average Caesium-137 Doses

In 1998, average caesium-137 doses from the Chernobyl accident were estimated at 1-2 mSv per year, not exceeding other sources of exposure.

2003: Launch of Chernobyl Recovery and Development Programme

In 2003, the United Nations Development Programme launched the Chernobyl Recovery and Development Programme (CRDP) to support Ukraine's efforts to mitigate the long-term consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.

2005: Archaeological Excavations Begin

Archaeological excavations that began in 2005 and continued until 2008 uncovered a cultural layer from the 10th to 12th centuries AD, predating the first documented mention of Chernobyl.

2008: Archaeological Excavations End

Archaeological excavations conducted from 2005-2008 revealed a cultural layer dating back to the 10th-12th centuries AD, predating Chernobyl's first documented mention.

2019: Current Caesium-137 Dose Rates

As of 2019, current effective caesium-137 dose rates are 200-250 nSv/h, or roughly 1.7-2.2 mSv per year, comparable to the worldwide average background radiation.

2019: Publication of "Roman Kyiv or Castrum Azagarium at Kyiv-Podil"

In 2019, Ukrainian architect Boris Yerofalov-Pylypchak published the book "Roman Kyiv or Castrum Azagarium at Kyiv-Podil".

2020: Merger with Vyshhorod Raion

During Ukraine's 2020 administrative reform, Ivankiv Raion, which included Chernobyl, was dissolved and merged with Vyshhorod Raion.

2020: Chernobyl Population Estimate

In 2020, the estimated population of Chernobyl was 150 people, despite living within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone being technically illegal.

February 2022: Russian Invasion Sparks Concerns

In February 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine raised international concerns regarding the stability of Ukrainian nuclear facilities, including Chernobyl.