Chernobyl Roulette

Award-winning historian Serhii Plokhy returns with Chernobyl Roulette, a riveting account of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, focusing on the harrowing events that unfolded at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. On the first day of the invasion, 24 February 2022, Russian armoured vehicles took the fastest but most perilous route to the Ukrainian capital by passing through the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. The occupation of the Chernobyl plant by Russian forces would last for thirty-five intense and frightening days, raising the spectre of a new nuclear catastrophe.

The book is meticulously documented and narrated from multiple perspectives, offering a nuanced and thoroughly engaging depiction of the conflict's impact on those who lived and worked in Chernobyl. Readers will follow the story of Valentyn Heiko, a seasoned foreman who had also participated in the original clean-up operations following the 1986 disaster. Heiko, who celebrated his sixtieth birthday amidst the invasion, is but one of the many resilient characters whose experiences Plokhy brings to life on the page.

Among the diverse voices are plant workers who struggled to maintain safety standards during the Russian occupation. These brave individuals found small ways to preserve their humanity, such as celebrating International Women's Day even under dire circumstances. In stark contrast, Plokhy also provides insight into the Russian officers who, alarmingly, had scant understanding of nuclear reactors' complexities and potential dangers. Additionally, the narrative includes the ordeals of four stalkers who were trapped in the conflict, embodying the toll the occupation took on all caught in its wake.

Chernobyl Roulette is more than just a recounting of events; it serves as an urgent warning about the vulnerabilities of nuclear sites in conflict zones. At a time when plant workers found themselves abandoned to face unimaginable pressures, the world watched with bated breath, fully aware of the catastrophic potential. Plokhy's writing captures the dramatic tension and stakes with the expertise of a historian and the flair of a novelist. This book reads like a high-stakes thriller, yet every word is grounded in grim reality.

A narrative that is both gripping and unforgettable, Chernobyl Roulette touches upon fundamental questions of human nature, the uncertainty of our times, and the extraordinary courage displayed by ordinary people. Serhii Plokhy offers an essential and thought-provoking read, shedding light on a critical aspect of contemporary history that continues to resonate worldwide.