35th anniversary of the Chernobyl tragedy: the memory of the liquidators was honored in the Ministry of Internal Affairs
Today, April 26, on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Chernobyl tragedy, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine commemorated the victims of the disaster. The celebrations were attended by Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Serhiy Yarovyi, Chairman of the Ukrainian Association “Chernobyl” of bodies and troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Vasily Durdinets and heads of departments of the Ministry.
Exactly 35 years ago, the Ukrainian people suffered a catastrophe that changed the lives of millions of people. From the first minutes of the nuclear tragedy to the struggle, hundreds of thousands of our compatriots, including 33 thousand employees of the fire protection, internal affairs bodies and servicemen of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The feat of our liquidators is deservedly noted by the state. Three firefighters were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, four - the title of Hero of Ukraine (posthumously), 750 workers - state awards of the Soviet Union and Ukraine.
Chairman of the Ukrainian Association “Chernobyl” of bodies and troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Head of the Operational Staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine for the organization of the liquidation of the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster (1986—1989), Minister of Ukraine for Emergencies and Population Protection from the consequences of the
Chernobyl Disaster (1999—2002).) General of the Internal Service of Ukraine Vasyl Durdinets noted that the explosion of the fourth power unit is the largest man-made disaster of the twentieth century.
“Our glorious firefighters promptly arrived at this facility, not knowing exactly what kind of disaster occurred. But thanks to their professional actions, an even greater tragedy was avoided. The state commission, which investigated the causes of this disaster, came to the conclusion that the firefighters acted promptly, highly professionally, courageously. Previously, it was not customary to talk about this, but it was the firefighters who warned the explosion of the algae. All units of our system, and this is almost 33 thousand people, acted responsibly, professionally, without sparing their lives and health. There are no more than 6,517 of our liquidator friends among us,” Vasyl Durdinets said.
The memory of their deceased colleagues, liquidators of the aftermath of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, was honored with a minute of silence.
In all the years since the day of the tragedy, the Ministry has not left alone with its problems anyone who was at the center of events at that hour of distress. Together with the Ukrainian Association “Chernobyl” of bodies and troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the liquidators were constantly provided with legal, social assistance, medical support and housing.
