Pripyat / Chernobyl
A lot of people ask me about which company I use to get into Chernobyl. I spent the first seven days directly through a government guide, but I booked my last 4 day trip with CHERNOBYLwel.come and I saw as much in 4 days as I did the previous seven days!
I have spent 5 years exploring the most radioactive area on Earth - Pripyat, Chernobyl and the militarized exclusion zone. So far I have explored and documented over half of the citys buildings, and driven every single street.
I have immersed myself in zone life; eating, drinking, and sleeping with the guards, as well as meeting the resettlers in the red forest.
Here's my story:
Clickable Map of Chernobyl / Exclusion Zone Reports:
View Exclusion Zone Reports - Public in a larger map
I have spent 5 years exploring the most radioactive area on Earth - Pripyat, Chernobyl and the militarized exclusion zone. So far I have explored and documented over half of the citys buildings, and driven every single street.
I have immersed myself in zone life; eating, drinking, and sleeping with the guards, as well as meeting the resettlers in the red forest.
Here's my story:
Clickable Map of Chernobyl / Exclusion Zone Reports:
View Exclusion Zone Reports - Public in a larger map
I've spent 5 years exploring the exclusion zone now. This is summary of the last trip, but has been built up over 5 years. |
This section explains the actual logistics of gaining entry to the most radioactive place on earth. |
There are 3 stages of military checkpoints around Pripyat. One at 30Km, one at 10Km, and one to the city itself. This section documents the radiation scans, document checks, and procedures that go with them. |
Against the wishes of the Ukrainian government - UrbanX reveals the truth about radiation levels in the 30Km exclusion zone… |
Most people that have been to the zone have been on a day trip. Others have slept out the zone. This section documents what its like to sleep actually in Chernobyl itself. |
One reasons I prefer to live in the zone instead of day-tripping there is the food! Whether it's a workers cafe in Chernobyl, or in the eating with the workers in the canteen of Reactor 4 (yes it's still open) you'll never go hungry in the zone. |
There's a report name I never thought I'd write! Believe it or not there are three shops in Chernobyl to cater for zone workers. |
Since the zone is almost devoid of human life, animal life has flourished. |
A summary report really, just about spending an extended amount of time in the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Drinking with guards, etc. |
My number one priority for visiting the zone was to meet some of these remarkable people who have resettled back in the zone of exclusion. |
For a small bribe, they will let you play on some serious vehicles! |
This is the flat where illigal visitors always stay. I wonder if they're in today? |
A vehicle Graveyard...near the Jupiter Plant |
One of Pripyats largest Kindergartens. |
Despite it being a near-utopia, Pripyat had a small amount of crime, mainly just drunkeness. |
Mainly alone, mainly naked. |
Hidden in the Red Forest is a sparse vehicle graveyard. Readings up to 114mSv. |
The Ikea of Pripyat |
I've always seen this from afar but never bothered to visit. With some spare time I was straight on it! |
I normally just update pages, but I found so much more to this hospital! |
Not much left of this abandoned village in the woods. The town hall, and a shop from 'Call of Duty' remain. |
Nothing remarkable about this school. But it was the first building in Pripyat to collapse. |
No, I didn't know this existed either! |
Massive 'over the horizon' radar, nearly 1Km long and taller than St. Pauls? That needs climbing... |
A small town was constructed in secret for the workers of Duga. |
As Duga was a Top Secret location, all of it's vehicles had to be stored and maintained in secret, here. |
Pripyats Post Office / Communications Centre |
Pripyat was a prosperous town, with extensive leisure facilities. This was the main restaurant on the central square. |
Until recently I never knew that there were 5 synagogues in the exclusion zone. I visit one in the centre of Chernobyl. |
I've explored almost all of the Pripyat Kindergartens, so I head to the villages to see how they differ. |
Any guesses where UrbanX chose to celebrate his 30th birthday? |
Deep inside the highly radioactive Red Forest UrbanX meets the people who have resettled within the exclusion zone. |
Did you know giant catfish now live in the highly toxic cooling lakes of the reactor? I take some bait and head down there... |
The only functioning church in the zone. St. Elias Church in Chernobyl itself. I'm lucky enough to be invited in for an orthodox ceremony. |
Active Fire station and monument to the firefighters |
Former high school of Pripyat. |
Whether you drive or walk, theres still a lot to see between the city's main sites. This section documents the streets of Pripyat in general. |
This section documents the strange buildings and vehicles to be seen around the zone, as well as seeing what its like to rally through the most contaminated part of the 'Red Forest' |
The most emotional explore ever. |
The best way to cure a Chernobyl hangover? An early morning 16 Storey climb. |
UrbanX gets inside this unfinished nuclear reactor |
Kindergarten converted to radioactive samples laboratory after the disaster |
The discovery of a never before seen shooting range, then to the rooftop! |
A church service in Chernobyl, with an added snoop around radioactive, decaying military vehicles |
Used before, during, and after the disaster |
Abandonned Railway station, 1Km south of Pripyat |
One of Pripyats many leisure facilities, set by the beautiful radioactive lake. |
Where radioactive Soviet vehicles go to die |
Pripyat's Cinema |
A solo walk from Lenin Square to the stadium through the city park (not the fairground) |
The next building along on the walk to Lenin Square |
Completely alone in Pripyat Stadium |
High School just behind the Stadium |
Pripyats mysterious and secret factory |
We all know the iconic Pripyat sign, but who knows about the second one... |
Pripyats Hospital: |
Just outside the city boundary, and not previously reported, so thought I'd take a drive out there. |
A popular place for Pripyat teens to dance, or just hang out. |
I explore another of Pripyats Kindergartens |
Meeting the robots that worked on the roof of Reactor 4 during the clean up. |
Dairy shop on Pripyats Lenin Avenue. |
On the night of the explosion, residents made their way to the bridge to watch coloured flames dance from the reactor. Little did they know they were receiving fatal doses of radiation. |
Another tourist hotspot, but definitely worth seeing. |
I feel aggrieved to even do a report on this as it's so touristy! But in the interests of completeness here's the most iconic Pripyat landmark. |
Hotel in the heart of Pripyat for delegates visiting the plant. |
A few photos of the sign in different seasons, with different people. Oh and a comparison to the prop used in 'Chernobyl Diaries' |
The new safe confinement structure being slid over the existing damaged Reactor 4 sarcophagus. |
It still amazes me that people are allowed within 100m of this beast - which is responsible for killing 1m people... |
2010: My first life changing trip to the most radioactive place on Earth... |
1,955Km away from Chernobyl. Not sure if it'd even still be there UrbanX starts trekking across Ukraine. |
| Sigh, so what have they got wrong? This is just from the 2 min trailer... |
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