Residents of the region continue to battle health and environmental issues from the April 26, 1986, disaster as conflict rages around them.

It is 40 years ago today since an explosion ripped through Reactor 4 at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, causing the world's worst nuclear disaster. Today, it is Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine that threatens nuclear safety at the decommissioned plant.

Ideas have been floated for how the contaminated zone could bring economic benefits to Ukraine. But for the foreseeable future, it will be an army-controlled security belt.

The best and most chilling adaptions of the Chernobyl disaster appeared on HBO Max in a five part miniseries simply called "Chernobyl.". As I watched it, I was filled with as much dread as any top notch horror movie.

In the initial aftermath of the nuclear power plant explosion, authorities told the bride's mother "not to panic" and that "all planned events in the city of Pripyat should go ahead"