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'No way out': Life under the Russians at Chernobyl

It began as a normal shift at Chernobyl for Oleksiy Shelestiy but as night turned to day on February 24, distant artillery fire and the arrival of Russian troops changed everything.

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The staff were not able to return home and became increasingly drained. That risked compromising their ability to fulfil their safety and security duties. "It was mentally and emotionally difficult," Shelestiy explained. Employees were also closely watched and forced to navigate a dizzying network of checkpoints set up by the Russians on the plant's grounds -- hindering basic movements and maintenance at the facility.