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. Following the disaster, the city was evacuated, and living within the Exclusion Zone became technically illegal. However, some individuals have returned to live in less irradiated areas of Chernobyl. As of 2020, the city's estimated population was around 150 people.

1902: Unknown Foundation Date

The Polish Geographical Dictionary of the Kingdom of Poland of 1880–1902 states that the time the city was founded is not known.

October 1905: Pogroms against the Jewish population

In October 1905, the Jewish population of Chernobyl suffered greatly from pogroms. Many Jews were killed or robbed.

1910: Chodkiewicz family owned a castle and a house

Until 1910 the Chodkiewicz family owned a castle and a house in Chernobyl city.

March 1918: Occupation by German forces during World War I

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

April 1919: Pogroms against the Jewish population

In March-April 1919, the Jewish population suffered greatly from pogroms in Chernobyl. Many Jews were killed or robbed.

1919: Polish-Soviet War

During the Polish-Soviet War of 1919, 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 to exist as a center of Hasidism.

1921: Incorporation into the Ukrainian SSR

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

1923: Chernobyl as Administrative Center

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

1929: Killings during Stalin's collectivization

From 1929, Chernobyl suffered from killings during Stalin's collectivization campaign.

1933: Famine from Stalin's policies

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

1936: Deportation to Kazakhstan

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

August 1941: Occupation by the German Army

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

November 1943: Liberation from German occupation

On November 17, 1943, Chernobyl was liberated from German occupation during World War II.

February 1970: Foundation of Pripyat

On 4 February 1970, Pripyat, an 'atomograd' city, was founded to serve the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

August 1972: Construction of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant began

On August 15, 1972, the construction of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant began, located northwest of Chernobyl.

1972: Chernobyl selected as site for Nuclear Power Plant

In 1972, Chernobyl was chosen as the location for the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, leading to its rise in prominence within the Soviet Union.

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 west-northwest of Chernobyl.

1977: Opening of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant

In 1977, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant opened its doors and began operations.

April 1986: Explosion at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant

On April 26, 1986, a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded due to an improperly carried out test and design flaws in the RBMK reactor.

May 1986: Evacuation of Chernobyl after Nuclear Disaster

Following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the worst in history, the city of Chernobyl was evacuated on May 5, 1986. Residents were relocated to Slavutych.

May 1986: Evacuation of Chernobyl and Pripyat residents

On May 5, 1986, nine days after the Reactor No. 4 explosion, the Soviet government initiated the evacuation of residents from Chernobyl and Pripyat to prepare for the disaster management. Evacuees were later settled in Slavutych.

1986: Evacuation after the Chernobyl disaster

Following the Chernobyl disaster, the city was evacuated in 1986. Prior to this, it was home to approximately 14,000 residents.

1986: Chernobyl Evacuation and Contamination Levels

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

1988: Dissolution of Chernobyl Raion

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

1991: Chernobyl remains part of Ukraine

In 1991, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Chernobyl remained part of Ukraine within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

1998: Average caesium-137 doses

In 1998, average caesium-137 doses from the Chernobyl accident were estimated at 1–2 mSv per year.

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 consequences of the disaster.

2005: Archaeological Excavations

Archaeological excavations conducted in 2005 found a cultural layer from the 10–12th centuries AD, predating the first documentary mention of Chernobyl.

2008: Archaeological Excavations

Archaeological excavations conducted until 2008 found a cultural layer from the 10–12th centuries AD, predating the first documentary mention of Chernobyl.

2019: Current effective caesium-137 dose rates

As of 2019, current effective caesium-137 dose rates are roughly 1.7–2.2 mSv per year, comparable to worldwide 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 was dissolved and merged with Vyshhorod Raion.

2020: Population Estimate

In 2020, the population estimate of Chernobyl was 150 people, even though living within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is technically illegal.

February 2022: Russian invasion sparks concern about nuclear facilities

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

April 2022: Reports of radiation spikes due to Russian occupation

Reports indicated that the Russian occupation of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone until April 2022 led to a spike in radiation levels, causing significant concern.