Middle School Number 3 is one of 5 secondary schools in Pripyat. Located on Sportivnaya Street, right next door to the indoor swimming pool, it houses the most photographed collection of gas masks in Pripyat.
Hundreds now lie strewn across the floor having been removed from storage by looters in search of the tiny amounts of silver within their filters.
The Russian-made child-sized masks would have been kept on-site during the cold war era and were designed to provide protection against nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) attack.
When in use the school was modern and well equipped with extensive music and sports facilities. Today the structure of the building remains in relatively good condition when compared to many of the other learning establishments of Pripyat. Water damage is not so extensive, especially on the lower floors. Having predominantly wooden window frames they all remain in place with many open. The cast iron radiators, however, are long gone.
Since you’re here…
Contamination Zone is a group of people who are united by our love for the Chernobyl Zone. We are a non-profit organisation and every year we raise thousands of euros for good causes in the Chernobyl Zone, such as firefighting equipment, monument restoration, animal welfare and more.
If you are planning or thinking about a trip to the zone, please check out our trips to Ukraine in 2023 and if you still have unanswered questions, feel free to get in touch!
