Our fifth day in the zone started with something I’d been relishing for many years. For the first time in so many trips beyond the fence of the exclusion zone, we came across a big herd of Przhevalsky horses. A few were brought here after the fallout as an experiment to see how they survive the effects of radiation. It is clear now that the invisible enemy has been no match for them, as they have richly populated the zone.

A herd of Przhevalsky horses

The leader of the pack was clearly unhappy about our presence here, as he kept turning and staring aggressively at us.

Przhevalsky horses

If we were, let’s say, in the African wilderness, or those were not absolutely friendly Przhevalsky horses, we would have probably been in trouble. But the herd allowed us to get close enough to capture several great shots.

Przhevalsky horses

In all my trips to the zone, I’ve been hearing that this area is exceptionally rich in wildlife. Ever since people left, lots of species of animals, even the rarest ones, have been flocking here. Probably because they felt they had nothing to fear – or nobody. A little later on I saw proof of that – a small flock of black storks flying above Pripyat. These birds are under threat of extinction (they are in the Red Book of dying-out species), and Chernobyl stalkers say it is a great fortune to catch a glimpse of them. Unfortunately though, my camera was too far away for me to film these beauties.

Our first filming location for the day was meant to be Pripyat’s cemetery. One of the most emotional episodes was supposed to be filmed in these surroundings.

Pripyat’s cemetery

The above photo was taken at least a decade ago. This cemetery was located less than a kilometer away from the Chernobyl reactor. But after almost two hours of searching through the area, all we managed to find was a dozen “high levels of radiation” signs and a good vantage point to see the nuclear power plant.

Pripyat’s cemetery

View of the nuclear power plant

Denis suggested that the French company Navarco, which is now building the new sarcophagus, simply razed this cemetery to the ground in order to build a hotel for its workers. A newly-built paved road, which went right through the land where the cemetery had been, only added to the claim. Feeling very frustrated, we decided to take our chance at another site, where we had never been lucky enough to go before.

Sign reading "Attention! Strongly prohibited"

This facility has had many different names – the Chernobyl-2, the Duga and a more technical one, the beyond-horizon radar location facility (ZGRLS). It used to be one of the Soviet Union’s biggest secrets.

The Chernobyl-2 facility

Its main mission was to detect a missile launch anywhere on the European continent. But records of its test run in 1980 suggest its signal could have reached the eastern coast of the United States. None of the radars existing at the time could have matched such strong radar coverage.

The Chernobyl-2 was abandoned after the 1986 accident

The facility is believed to have been put out of service straight after the Chernobyl accident. But that raised a question – if it had truly been decommissioned then why is it still under protection? And why is it still considered a classified facility? After we managed to peek inside, nothing really suggested that it was still operational.

Ghost facility

The radar array looked really impressive. The 150-meter-high and 400-meter-wide construction could have been seen from just about any part of the zone. But in the closest possible vicinity, it appeared simply immense.

150-meter-high radar

150-meter-high radar

Our filming here was very much scrambled. We were warned that we only had five to seven minutes to work. If we have been spotted by an armed patrol, our trip to the zone would have been cut short. Still, we managed to film the material needed and departed to our next location – deserted farm houses in the zone.

Deserted farm house

Inside a deserted farm houses

These surroundings are another telling reminder of the sad story. The Polessye region of Ukraine, where Chernobyl is situated, had been a blessing for farmers. Rich nature, mild climate and developed infrastructure all contributed to the agricultural prosperity of what is now a lifeless area, with skeletons of ruined farmhouses as the only permanent tenants.

Deserted farm house

Deserted farm house

Deserted farm house

To be continued…

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.