Chernobyl, also known as Chornobyl, is a partially abandoned city located in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in northern Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine. It is situated approximately 90 kilometers north of Kyiv and 160 kilometers southwest of Gomel, Belarus. Before the evacuation due to the nuclear disaster, Chernobyl had a population of about 14,000 residents. Although living within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is technically illegal, authorities tolerate those who reside in less irradiated areas, with around 1,000 people currently living in Chernobyl.
1902: Unknown Founding Time of Chernobyl
The Polish Geographical Dictionary of the Kingdom of Poland, published between 1880 and 1902, states that the founding time of Chernobyl is not known.
October 1905: Pogroms Against Jewish Population
In October 1905, the Jewish population of Chernobyl suffered from pogroms instigated by the Russian nationalist Black Hundreds, resulting in many Jews being killed or robbed.
1910: Chodkiewicz Family Ownership Ends
In 1910, the Chodkiewicz family, who had owned Chernobyl until 1896, ceased to own a castle and a house in the city, marking the end of their association with Chernobyl.
March 1918: German Occupation in World War I
In March 1918, during World War I, German forces occupied Chernobyl as part of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
April 1919: Further Pogroms Against Jewish Population
In April 1919, the Jewish population in Chernobyl faced further pogroms, again resulting in many Jews being killed or robbed.
1919: Polish-Soviet War
In 1919, during the Polish-Soviet War, 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 Hasidic dynasty left Chernobyl, causing the city to cease being a center of Hasidism.
1921: Incorporation into Ukrainian SSR
From 1921 onwards, Chernobyl was officially incorporated into the Ukrainian SSR, marking a significant change in its administrative status.
1923: Chernobyl Raion Administrative Centre
In 1923, Chernobyl became the administrative centre of the Chernobyl Raion. This status remained until after the Chernobyl disaster.
1929: Stalin's Collectivization
Between 1929 and 1933, Chernobyl suffered from killings during Stalin's collectivization campaign, which also brought about famine.
1933: Famine in Chernobyl
In 1933, Chernobyl was affected by a severe famine as a result of Stalin's policies during the collectivization campaign.
1936: Deportation During Frontier Clearances
In 1936, the Polish and German community of Chernobyl was deported to Kazakhstan during the Frontier Clearances under Stalin's regime.
August 1941: German Occupation in World War II
On 25 August 1941, during World War II, the German Army occupied Chernobyl. At the time, only 400 Jews remained in the city.
November 1943: End of German Occupation
On 17 November 1943, the German Army's occupation of Chernobyl ended. During this period, the remaining Jewish population was murdered in the Holocaust.
February 1970: Foundation of Pripyat
On 4 February 1970, the city of Pripyat was founded to serve the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. It was built as an 'atomograd' city for the plant’s workers.
August 1972: Construction of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
On 15 August 1972, construction began on the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, officially known as the Vladimir Ilyich Lenin Nuclear Power Plant. It was the first nuclear power plant to be built in Ukraine.
1972: Construction of Duga-1 Radio Receiver
In 1972, construction began on the Duga-1 radio receiver, part of a larger radar array, near Chernobyl. It was designed as part of an anti-ballistic missile early warning radar network.
1972: Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Site Selection
In 1972, Chernobyl was chosen as the site of Ukraine's first nuclear power plant. The plant, located 15 kilometers north of the city, opened in 1977.
1977: Opening of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, located 15 kilometers north of Chernobyl, officially opened in 1977. This marked the beginning of its operation until the catastrophic disaster in 1986.
April 1986: Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster
On 26 April 1986, one of the reactors at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded due to improperly conducted unsanctioned experiments. The disaster was exacerbated by design flaws in the RBMK reactor, leading to the largest nuclear disaster in history.
May 1986: Evacuation of Chernobyl
Chernobyl was evacuated on 5 May 1986, nine days after a catastrophic nuclear disaster at the plant. This was part of the largest nuclear disaster in history and involved relocating the population to the newly built city of Slavutych.
1986: Evacuation Due to Nuclear Contamination
In 1986, following the Chernobyl disaster, the city was evacuated due to high levels of contamination with caesium-137, which measured around 555 kBq/m.
1988: Dissolution of Chernobyl Raion
In 1988, following the Chernobyl disaster, the Chernobyl Raion was dissolved. Its administration was moved to the neighbouring Ivankiv Raion.
1991: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Post-Soviet Union
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: Caesium-137 Dose Rates Post-Accident
In 1998, the average caesium-137 doses from the Chernobyl accident were estimated at 1-2 mSv per year, which did not exceed those from 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 in mitigating the long-term social, economic, and ecological consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.
2005: Archaeological Excavations Reveal Ancient Layer
In 2005, archaeological excavations in Chernobyl found a cultural layer dating back to the 10th-12th centuries AD, predating the first documentary mention of the city.
2008: Continuation of Archaeological Discoveries
In 2008, further archaeological excavations continued to reveal a cultural layer from the 10th-12th centuries AD, providing more historical insights into the early history of Chernobyl.
2019: Current Caesium-137 Dose Rates
As of 2019, effective caesium-137 dose rates in Chernobyl were 200-250 nSv/h, roughly 1.7-2.2 mSv per year, comparable to the worldwide average background radiation from natural sources.
2019: Publication by Boris Yerofalov-Pylypchak
In 2019, Ukrainian architect Boris Yerofalov-Pylypchak published a book titled 'Roman Kyiv or Castrum Azagarium at Kyiv-Podil'.
July 2020: Abolishment of Chernobyl Raion
On 18 July 2020, as part of the administrative reform of Ukraine, the Chernobyl Raion was abolished. Its administration was transferred to the neighbouring Vyshhorod Raion.
2022: Russian Occupation during 2022 Invasion
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Chernobyl was temporarily captured and occupied by Russian forces between 24 February and 2 April. Radiation levels temporarily rose due to human activities disturbing the dust.
2022: Russian Forces Capture Chernobyl
On 24 February 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces captured Chernobyl. Radiation levels rose due to military activities disturbing radioactive dust. By 31 March, Russian forces had left the exclusion zone, and Ukrainian authorities reasserted control over the area on 2 April.