The Valery Khodemchuk Memorial is a tribute to one of the first victims of the Chernobyl disaster, Valery Khodemchuk. Khodemchuk was a technician who was working at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant when the accident occurred on April 26, 1986.
Khodemchuk was on duty in the Pump Room of the Unit 4 reactor when the explosion occurred. His body was never recovered, and it is believed that he was killed instantly by the force of the explosion.
The memorial is located at the site of the former Pump Room and is dedicated to the memory of Khodemchuk and all of the other victims of the Chernobyl disaster. It was built in 2002 and consists of a plaque that bears Khodemchuk’s name and a sculpture of his face.
The sculpture is made of bronze and is situated on a pedestal that is engraved with the words “To the heroes who saved the world.” The sculpture is designed to evoke the image of Khodemchuk as he might have looked while working in the Pump Room, with his protective clothing and gas mask.
The memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Chernobyl disaster and the sacrifices made by the workers who were involved in the cleanup efforts. It is also a tribute to the bravery and dedication of those who risked their lives to contain the disaster and prevent it from spreading further.
Visitors to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone can pay their respects at the Valery Khodemchuk Memorial and learn more about the events that took place at the site. The memorial is a solemn and somber reminder of the tragedy that occurred, but also a symbol of the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
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!
