Novozybkov. Nick Losev, documentary photographer

Novozybkov — The Bryansk Region — 25 Years After the Chernobyl Accident

The Bryansk region, located in Central Russia southwest of Moscow and near the borders of Ukraine and Belarus, is the Russian region most affected by the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant 25 years ago. On April 26, 1986, the catastrophic event at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant resulted in the contamination of a significant portion of the Bryansk region with long-lived radionuclides. Many southwestern regions of the Bryansk region were classified as part of the “resettlement zone” according to the Chernobyl classification of the affected territories. However, a quarter of a century after the disaster, life in these areas continues, with Novozybkov being the largest of these regions. Currently, approximately 40,000 inhabitants reside in the city.

Over the 25 years since the disaster, the radiation situation in Novozybkov has evolved, but the invisible consequences of the catastrophe persist. Today, the city still holds the status of a “resettlement zone, ” indicating the ongoing impact of the Chernobyl accident on the region.

During the Soviet era, the Bryansk Region was a highly developed agricultural area. However, following the collapse of the USSR, it lost its agricultural significance. The Chernobyl accident has had a lasting effect on the region, not only in terms of the environmental and health consequences but also in terms of its economic and social development.

August 28, 2021, The village of Svyatsk was evacuated after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on April 26, 1986. However, every year on August 28, former residents of the village meet at this place. Former residents come from all over Russia and from Ukraine and Belarus. Svyatsk was home to a large Old Believers community. The Old Believers is a religious movement that split from the Russian Orthodox Church in the 17th century and currently has about 700,000 followers. On August 28, Orthodox and Greek Catholics celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

August 28, 2021, Since there is no electricity in the village of Svyatsk anymore, a traditional "samovar" is used to make tea for all participants ("Samovar" - is a device for boiling water and making tea. The water is heated inside of the furnace, which is a high tube, fills the wood coals).

June 13, 2021, At the Novozybkov local market, city residents sell mushrooms, berries, and vegetables from their gardens. However, there are not many buyers. Even when serving vegetables at a party, many residents say, "Don't worry, these are products from another region."

June 13, 2021, Ferris wheel at the Novozybkov local amusement park.

June 14, 2021, The zone unsuitable for human habitation begins 1 km west of the Novozybkov city limits. While in the village of Svyatsk all the buildings were dismantled, in other places the houses remain intact, deteriorating over time.

June 15, 2021, An interactive game for schoolchildren is designed to show how dangerous radiation pollution is. Such events are organized by the public organization "Radimichi." "Radimichi" is the oldest Chernobyl organization, established in the USSR. Throughout the years, they have been providing assistance to children and adults living in areas contaminated as a result of the Chernobyl disaster.

August 27, 2021, A dosimeter device, which registered an increase in the radiation background a few days after the Chernobyl disaster, was exhibited in the Novozybkov Museum of Local Lore.

June 16, 2021, Sergei Sizov, a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Airborne Forces and head of the military sports club "Patriot," was the first person in Novozybkov to record an increase in background radiation after the Chernobyl disaster.

June 10, 2021, A chapel located on the site of a burnt church in the village of Svyatsk.

August 28, 2021, Former residents of the village Svyatsk.

June 10, 2021, All buildings in the village of Svyatsk were dismantled and either scrapped or used by local residents for construction, despite the increased level of radiation. Currently, only a cemetery and a chapel remain on the site of the village.

June 14, 2021, Nina is a resident of the village of Uvelye in the resettlement zone, who refused to leave it after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

June 10, 2021, Victor, a resident of the city of Novozybkov, mows grass at the grave of his parents in the cemetery in the village of Svyatsk.

June 14, 2021, Inside an abandoned house in the zone unsuitable for human habitation in the suburbs of Novozybkov.

June 12, 2021, Galina's son, Dmitry, developed a disease and disability as a result of living in a zone of high radiation.

June 16, 2021, The "Novozybkovsky Machine-Building Plant" was the largest enterprise in the city. After it went bankrupt and closed, many residents had to travel to Moscow to earn money.

June 18, 2021, Konstantin Popov is an artist, local historian, and publicist. Although a resident of Novozybkov, he has spent a lot of time painting scenes of his region, particularly the village of Svyatsk. Konstantin is shown demonstrating one of his paintings created in the area of the village of Svyatsk.

August 28, 2021, Former residents of the village of Svyatsk regularly visit the old cemetery and take care of the graves.

Archival photographs of the village of Svyatsk were provided by the Bryansk regional public organization for social, cultural, and educational support to the population, “Radimichi — Children of Chernobyl.” The photos document the activities of volunteers who assisted village residents who refused to leave. Currently, no one lives in the village of Svyatsk.