Dabrowski, Krzysztof Airmen of Chernobyl. Aviation and the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster, 1986

A volume in the Europe @ War series. Four decades have passed since the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster, the worst nuclear disaster to date and one of the greatest man-made disasters of all time. Much has been written about this disaster and its aftermath, films have been made and TV series produced. At first glance, there doesn't seem to be much of value to add. Yet despite the abundance of material on the subject that is available when dealing with most English-language sources on the topic, it is impossible not to notice that certain aspects of the event are treated rather superficially. The efforts to deal with the aftermath of the disaster included a significant use of aviation, particularly helicopters. While most attention is usually paid to the men involved in cleaning up the disaster area, especially the physical removal of radioactive debris, the pilots' contribution, particularly that of the helicopter crews, also deserves recognition. This volume aims to give them the recognition they deserve by showcasing their contribution. To achieve this, it is still essential to consider the broader context, which includes at least a brief description of the development of nuclear energy in the Soviet Union, the Chernobyl disaster and the efforts to deal with its aftermath. Of course, the development of helicopters in the USSR should also not be left unmentioned. Furthermore, the Chernobyl disaster, by its very nature, cannot be separated from the broader context of the nuclear age, the Cold War and the hypothetical nuclear war from which, fortunately, we have so far been spared. Last but not least, the aftermath of this disaster also deserves attention, especially as it was far-reaching and can still be felt today.