The memory of victims of radiation accidents and disasters was honored in Pskov

14:56, April 26, 2024, PAI

A solemn mourning meeting on the Day of Remembrance for those killed in radiation accidents and disasters was held in Pskov today, April 26. PAI was informed about this by the press service of the Pskov Regional Assembly of Deputies.

On the anniversary of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, liquidators of the man-made disaster, relatives and friends of the deceased Chernobyl victims, social activists and government officials came to the memorial sign “Pskov – victims of Chernobyl”, installed in the Square of fallen fighters. The Pskov Regional Assembly of Deputies was represented by Vice Speaker Alexander Bratchikov.

According to a long-standing tradition, the event began with a funeral litany in memory of the victims of man-made disasters, it was served by the priest of the Church of the Epiphany from Zapskovye, Archpriest Viktor Kulyov, a former liquidator of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

Then representatives of regional and municipal authorities spoke.

“We honor the memory of those who gave their lives to eliminate man-made disasters. We are grateful to those who, at the cost of their health and lives, were able to prevent the most severe consequences of these accidents. No one will be forgotten, we will do everything that is necessary for veterans,” said Deputy Chairman of the Regional Assembly of Deputies Alexander Bratchikov.

The vice speaker noted that nuclear energy is the most efficient source of energy, but also the most dangerous if safety measures are not followed. “We understand how carefully nuclear energy must be handled. In particular, radiation accidents that have been eliminated teach humanity how to properly handle nuclear energy,” concluded Alexander Bratchikov.

The chairman of the regional public organization Chernobyl Union, Mikhail Koshurnikov, addressing the rally participants, stated with regret that many liquidators of radiation disasters did not live to see this day. “The liquidators leave, but their wives remain and become widows. Today the principle “we don’t abandon our own” applies to them, too,” the social activist emphasized. Mikhail Koshurnikov recalled that the Chernobyl Union turns 30 this year, and thanked all members of the regional public organization for their involvement in its work.

The rally participants honored the memory of the victims of the Chernobyl disaster and man-made accidents with a minute of silence. A Garland of Glory and flowers were laid at the memorial sign.

Let us recall that on April 26, 1986, an accident occurred at the fourth power unit of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. This date is a day of remembrance of the terrible disaster and those killed in it, of the heroism of the station workers, liquidators, firefighters, doctors and all people involved in eliminating the consequences of the accident.