On April 20, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took a historic step to honor the unsung heroes of one of the world’s most devastating nuclear disasters. With the stroke of a pen, Zelensky signed Decree No. 323/2026, establishing a new state award: “For Participation in the Elimination of the Consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Accident.” The move, announced on the official website of the President of Ukraine, marks a significant moment in the country’s ongoing efforts to recognize those who risked their lives in the aftermath of the Chernobyl catastrophe.
The decree, effective immediately upon its publication, lays out the regulations for the award, as well as the procedures for producing the medal, its certificate, and presentation case. According to the official document, the honor is reserved for Ukrainian citizens who “directly took part in the elimination of the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.” The President’s instructions extend to the Cabinet of Ministers, the State Affairs Administration, and the National Bank of Ukraine, tasking them with overseeing the production and financial arrangements for this new distinction.
This recognition comes just days before the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster—a somber milestone that still resonates deeply in Ukraine and across the world. The night of April 26, 1986, is etched into the collective memory: a powerful explosion at the fourth reactor of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant tore through the facility, leading to the destruction of part of the reactor and the machine hall. The resulting fire raged until morning, releasing a radioactive cloud that swept across Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, and much of Europe. On the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES), the accident was classified as level 7, the most severe rating possible.
According to the official presidential website, the new award aims to “underscore the importance of their service heroism in Ukraine’s history.” By formally honoring the liquidators—those who rushed in to contain the disaster and limit its spread—the Ukrainian state is acknowledging both their bravery and the vital role they played in safeguarding public safety. The decree also legally defines the process for producing the award and related documentation, ensuring that the recognition is not just symbolic, but also backed by official procedures and state support.
But the commemoration of Chernobyl’s legacy doesn’t stop at medals. On April 24, 2026, Kyiv will host a major event that seeks to bridge the past, present, and future of nuclear safety. The “Chernobyl. 40 Years On. A History That Obliges” exhibition will open its doors at the Toronto-Kyiv complex, inviting visitors to reflect on the disaster’s enduring significance. Developed by the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management and supported by the European Commission, this large-scale multimedia project is poised to become a centerpiece of Ukraine’s remembrance activities this spring.
The exhibition, which runs from April 24 to April 26 with free admission, is meticulously designed around the metaphor of light—a symbol of energy, knowledge, and responsibility. It unfolds across three thematic halls, each offering a unique lens on the Chernobyl story. The first hall, “The Light That Did Not Fade,” immerses visitors in the events of 1986, from the construction of the nuclear plant to the fateful explosion, the frantic cleanup, and the evacuation of Pripyat, the city built for plant workers. Through artifacts, documents, and installations, the hall raises poignant questions about the value of human life and the birth of a global “safety culture” in the wake of Chernobyl.
The second hall, “The Light That Works,” shifts the focus to the present. Here, the exhibition spotlights the tireless work of specialists managing the exclusion zone today—from radioactive waste management to environmental monitoring and the development of spent nuclear fuel storage. The role of international cooperation, particularly the European Union’s contributions, is given special attention. Between the halls, visitors traverse thematic transition spaces, including a striking installation featuring models of the destroyed fourth reactor and the New Safe Confinement—a massive structure built to contain the remains of the disaster. A “green corridor” illustrates the remarkable recovery of nature in the exclusion zone, offering a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy.
The journey concludes in the third hall, “The Light of the Future,” which explores the prospects of nuclear energy in an age of rapid technological change. From small modular reactors to the tantalizing promise of fusion, the exhibition looks forward, challenging visitors to consider how energy, risk, and responsibility should be balanced for generations to come. The finale is marked by an artistic stained-glass piece, “Prometheus of the Future,” a powerful reflection on energy as a trust passed down to future generations.
Visual symbolism abounds throughout the exhibition. Its emblem—a six-petaled flower—nods both to nuclear structures and to the “Daisy” amusement ride in Pripyat, which never opened due to the disaster. The exhibition’s opening will take place at 81 Antonovycha Street at 11:30 a.m. on April 24, and part of the project will later be showcased at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s General Conference in Vienna in September 2026.
All of this remembrance and reflection is set against a tense contemporary backdrop. As the exhibition’s organizers point out, the lessons of Chernobyl are “urgently relevant” today. Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, including the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and repeated attacks on energy infrastructure, has reignited global concerns about nuclear safety and the specter of disaster. The exhibition, in this light, is not just about history—it’s a call to vigilance and responsibility in the face of new threats.
The state’s efforts to honor the Chernobyl liquidators and to educate the public through immersive exhibitions serve as reminders of the enduring impact of the 1986 tragedy. They also highlight Ukraine’s ongoing commitment to nuclear safety, international cooperation, and the recognition of those who put their lives on the line for the greater good.
As Ukraine approaches the 40th anniversary of Chernobyl, the nation is taking stock—not only of the past, but of the obligations that history imposes on the present and future. Through new honors and public engagement, the country is ensuring that the sacrifices of the liquidators and the lessons of the disaster remain at the forefront of public consciousness, shaping policy and culture for years to come.