File:Volodymyr Zelenskyy, The President of Ukraine, honored the Courage of Ukrainians who eliminated the consequences of the Chornobyl Disaster in Slavutych, Ukraine on 26 April 2024 - 12.jpg

English: In Slavutych, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena paid tribute to the Ukrainians who eliminated the consequences of the 1986 Chornobyl nuclear power plant accident.

“38 years ago, the Chornobyl disaster occurred. A radiation accident whose consequences went far beyond Ukraine, and even our entire Europe. The world felt that disaster. But still, it was localized. People stood up to defend life and fulfilled their duty,” the Head of the State said.

The memory of heroes — liquidators of the Chornobyl disaster was honored with a minute of silence. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked everyone who protected lives 38 years ago and presented the Orders of Merit of the third class and the Orders “For Courage” of the third class to Chornobyl NPP employees and liquidators of the accident. The President expressed his respect to all the people in Slavutych for saving us all then and helping Ukraine in the spring of 2022, during the full-scale Russian invasion. “Slavutych did not submit to the occupiers. It showed its temper. It fought. It defended itself. And we all saw you right here on this square. We also saw the heroism of those of our people who worked shifts at the station during the Russian occupation. People saved Ukraine in 2022, and it is only people, our entire nation, that will defeat Putin. No evil can stand against brave people who do everything to protect life,” he noted.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also talked to the residents of Slavutych, including the relatives of the captured National Guardsmen, who appealed to the Head of State to return the Chornobyl NPP defenders home.

“We will definitely return everything. Not only our territory, but first of all our people, all our POWs: both military and civilians, warriors of both our Armed Forces and our National Guard. We remember everyone. We will definitely do it,” the President assured.