Ukrainian Prypyat (При́п'ять), Russian Pripyat (При́пять), abandoned city located in the north of Ukraine, near the Belarus border. Outside the city is the Chernobyl nuclear power station, site of the worst nuclear reactor accident in history. See Chernobyl accident.
The site today is almost a museum documenting the late Soviet era. With entirely abandoned buildings, including abandoned apartment buildings (four of which were yet to be used), swimming pools and hospitals, everything inside remains, from records to papers to children's toys and clothing. Prypyat and the surrounding area will not be safe for human habitation for several centuries. Scientists estimate that the most dangerous radioactive elements will take up to 900 years to decay sufficiently to render the area safe.
The city is entirely accessible and is relatively safe on the road, although it is unsafe to go around the city without a dosimeter. The doors of all the buildings are open to reduce the risk to visitors, although many have accumulated too much radioactive material to be safe to visit.
Tanks, helicopters, and all terrain vehicles from the Soviet Union's Red Army were left in dumps due to their high levels of radiation.
A tourism industry has failed to bring in money due to a profound silence in the area that unsettles most people very quickly.
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Last updated: 05-24-2005 03:23:56
