History of Chernobyl in Timeline
Chernobyl is a partially abandoned city in northern Ukraine, located within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, approximately 90 kilometers north of Kyiv. Prior to its evacuation, the city housed around 14,000 residents. Although living within the Exclusion Zone is technically illegal, authorities tolerate those who reside in less irradiated areas, with an estimated 150 people living in Chernobyl as of 2020. The city is primarily known for the catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred at the nearby Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986.
1902: Polish Geographical Dictionary on Chernobyl's founding
The Polish Geographical Dictionary of the Kingdom of Poland stated in 1902 that the time the city was founded is not known.
October 1905: Pogroms against Jewish Population
In October 1905, the Jewish population in Chernobyl suffered greatly from pogroms; many were killed or robbed at the instigation of the Russian nationalist Black Hundreds.
1910: Chodkiewicz Family Ownership Ends
Until 1910, the Chodkiewicz family owned a castle and a house in the city, even after selling Chernobyl to the state in 1896.
March 1918: Occupation by German Forces
In March 1918, Chernobyl was occupied by German forces in World War I, following the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
April 1919: Pogroms against Jewish Population
In April 1919, the Jewish population in Chernobyl suffered greatly from pogroms; many were 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 left Chernobyl
In 1920, the Twersky Dynasty left Chernobyl, ceasing its existence as a center of Hasidism.
1921: Incorporation into Ukrainian SSR
From 1921 onwards, Chernobyl was officially incorporated into the Ukrainian SSR.
1923: Chernobyl as Administrative Centre
In 1923, Chernobyl became the administrative centre of Chernobyl Raion (district).
1929: Killings during Stalin's Collectivization Campaign
Beginning in 1929, Chernobyl suffered from killings during Stalin's collectivization campaign.
1933: Famine Due to Stalin's Policies
In 1933, Chernobyl was affected by the famine that resulted from Stalin's policies.
1936: Deportation of Polish and German Community
In 1936, the Polish and German community of Chernobyl was deported to Kazakhstan during the Frontier Clearances.
August 1941: Occupation by German Army
On 25 August 1941, during World War II, Chernobyl was occupied by the German Army.
November 1943: Liberation from German Occupation
On 17 November 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 nuclear power plant.
August 1972: Construction Begins on Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
On 15 August 1972, construction of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant began near Chernobyl.
1972: Chernobyl Chosen for Nuclear Plant Site
In 1972, Chernobyl was chosen as the site for Ukraine's first nuclear power plant, located 15 kilometers north of the city.
1972: Construction of Duga-1 Radio Receiver
In 1972, construction began on the Duga-1 radio receiver, part of the larger Duga over-the-horizon radar array, located near Chernobyl. It was designed as part of an anti-ballistic missile early-warning radar network.
1977: Opening of First Nuclear Power Plant
In 1977, Ukraine's first nuclear power plant opened in Chernobyl.
April 1986: Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Explosion
On 26 April 1986, one of the reactors at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded due to a flawed reactor design and improper operation during a scheduled test, resulting in a loss of control and thermal runaway.
May 1986: Evacuation of Chernobyl after Nuclear Disaster
Following the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster, the city of Chernobyl was evacuated on 5 May 1986. Residents, along with those from Pripyat, were relocated to Slavutych.
May 1986: Evacuation of Chernobyl
On 5 May 1986, Chernobyl was evacuated nine days after the catastrophic nuclear disaster. Residents, along with those from Pripyat, were relocated to Slavutych.
1986: Evacuation and Contamination Levels
In 1986, Chernobyl city was evacuated nine days after the nuclear disaster. The level of contamination with caesium-137 was around 555 kBq/m.
1988: Dissolution of Chernobyl Raion
In 1988, after the disaster, the Chernobyl Raion (district) was dissolved, and administration was transferred to 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, which Ukraine inherited from the Soviet Union.
1998: Average Caesium-137 Doses
In 1998, average caesium-137 doses from the accident (estimated at 1–2 mSv per year) did not exceed those from other sources of exposure.
2003: Chernobyl Recovery and Development Programme Launched
In 2003, the United Nations Development Programme launched the Chernobyl Recovery and Development Programme (CRDP) to mitigate the long-term consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.
2005: Archaeological Excavations
Archaeological excavations conducted in 2005-2008 found a cultural layer from the 10–12th centuries AD, which predates the first documentary mention of Chernobyl.
2008: Archaeological Excavations
Archaeological excavations conducted in 2005-2008 found a cultural layer from the 10–12th centuries AD, which predates the first documentary mention of Chernobyl.
2019: 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 average background radiation.
2019: Publication of Roman Kyiv or Castrum Azagarium at Kyiv-Podil
In 2019, Ukrainian architect Boris Yerofalov-Pylypchak published a book, Roman Kyiv or Castrum Azagarium at Kyiv-Podil.
July 2020: Abolishment of Ivankiv Raion
On 18 July 2020, the Ivankiv Raion was abolished as part of Ukraine's administrative reform, merging its area into Vyshhorod Raion.
2020: Chernobyl Population in 2020
In 2020, approximately 150 people were estimated to be living in Chernobyl, despite living within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone technically being illegal.
2022: Russian Occupation and Increased Radiation
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, between February 24 and April 2, Chernobyl was captured and occupied by Russian forces. Radiation levels temporarily rose due to human activities, including earthworks, which disturbed the dust.
