MINSK, 26 April (BelTA) - A commemorative event dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster was held in Ignatenko Street in Minsk on 26 April, BelTA has learned.
"35 years ago a bad catastrophe occurred. Its scale is yet to be assessed by us and our descendants. People who loved their country, whose job was to protect its legitimate rights and interests, cleaned up the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster,” Belarus' Emergencies Minister Vadim Sinyavsky said. “They selflessly served the Motherland and performed their job to the last breath. Many of them received a large dose of radiation and did not survive."
According to the minister, modern rescuers should remember those heroes of the emergencies and fire rescue services who cleaned up that terrible disaster. “It is no coincidence that the president visits these district's every year. They are coming back to life again. indeed, not all lands are used for economic activities today. Therefore, the Polesye State Radiation and Environmental Reserve has been set up to carry out a wide range of scientific research.
Vadim Sinyavsky recalled that Belarus' national report on the Chernobyl impact is prepared every five years. Another report has been drawn up. "The preliminary findings of this big document based on scientific research show that our country, unlike others, invests heavily in the development of the affected territories, in the mitigation of consequences, social support of citizens, health rehabilitation and of children who live there, healthcare. People should know and remember these things,” the minister noted. “During his trip to the Chernobyl-affected territories, the president will make more decisions that will give a further impetus to the development of these districts and step up efforts to support local residents. This is very important. I believe that if we work together and fulfill our respective tasks, we will reclaim some of these territories for economic activities,” he added.
The first responders at the site of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster were staff of the plant and firemen: Viktor Kibenok, Vladimir Pravik, Nikolai Titenok, Vladimir Tishura, Nikolai Vashchuk, Vasily Ignatenko.
Vasily Ignatenko was born in the village of Sperizhye in Bragin District. By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the USSR of 26 December 1986, he was posthumously awarded the Order of the Red Banner for his courageous and selfless actions to clean up the Chernobyl accident. Streets in Minsk and Bragin have been named after Vasily Ignatenko, a monument to the fireman was unveiled in Bragin.
Every year, clean-up workers, employees of the Emergencies Ministry, and cadets of the University of Civil Protection at the Emergencies Ministry gather in Minsk for a commemorative rally at the Vasily Ignatenko memorial plaque to honor the memory of the heroes with a minute of silence.
Several dozens of Chernobyl cleanup workers still work in the bodies and units of the Emergencies Ministry.
Photos by Ramil Nasibulin
