Starting from the very first days of the disaster, countless emergency aircrafts took off from the runways of the «Kyiv» Airport. During the first wave, the Airport served as a base for flights carrying scientists, firefighters, military, medics and engineers. Later, during the second wave, they were joined by military conscript servicemen.

Heavy aircraft delivered people and cargos, while the chopper pilots flew to the disastrous facility 3-4 times a day. The liquidators had to literally fight for their lives against invisible enemy, since their daily radiation dosage reached 3-5 Roentgens and sometimes even raised to 10 Roentgens or more. By mid-May, 339 helicopter crewman received excessive doses of radiation, and more than 1,400 military pilots suffered from maximum exposure. Sadly, the most of these heroes are no longer alive…

On the day of the 35th Chernobyl Disaster Anniversary, we bow our heads before the liquidators of its horrific consequences and pay our deepest respects to the blessed memory of brave heroes.