BELHYDROMET

On April 25, 2026, people whose destinies are forever linked to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident gathered at the state institution "Scientific and Production Center for Geology" (hereinafter – SPC Geology).

Four decades later, this event became a tribute to memory, an expression of the deepest respect for the accident liquidators, and a reminder of the importance of the lessons learned from the tragedy.

The feat of the liquidators was honored with a moment of silence. Tatiana Meleshko, Deputy General Director for Ideological Work at SPC Geology, reminded the audience of the scale of the Chernobyl accident that occurred on April 26, 1986. That day became a day of mourning for millions of people, leaving an indelible mark on the history of Belarus and the entire world.

Among the distinguished guests were Alexey Stasyukevich, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus; Mikhail Kovalenko, Deputy Head of Belhydromet; Vladimir Melnikov, General Director of the state enterprise "SPC Geology"; Yuri Shumsky, Chairman of the Belarusian Professional Union of Forestry and Environmental Management Workers; as well as Evgeny Kriskevich, a representative of the Pervomaisky District Emergency Department of Minsk.

Employees of the Ministry of Natural Resources system who participated in the liquidation of the accident's consequences were recognized and named individually, including employees of Belhydromet: Vyacheslav Viktorovich Parfenov, Viktor Vasilievich Sushchenya, Vladimir Leonidovich Samsonov, Lyudmila Alekseevna Guletskaya, Mikhail Antonovich Demyanchuk and Sergei Lvovich Romanov. Their selfless labor, demonstrated under conditions of extreme radiation danger, deserves the highest praise.

During the event, a ceremonial awarding of the participant-liquidators took place. Belhydromet employees were presented with honorary certificates and letters of gratitude for their courage and professionalism in the performance of their duty. Among those awarded were also employees of SPC Geology, Belgosgeocenter, and the Republican Center for State Environmental Expertise.

Vladimir Melnikov, General Director of SPC Geology, emphasized that geologists played an important role in the liquidation of the accident's consequences – a role not always obvious to the general public – by providing the scientific foundation for the safe execution of work.

Evgeny Kriskevich also delivered a speech, reminding everyone of the decisive role of firefighters in the first hours and days after the explosion and of their courage and professionalism under conditions of high radiation.

Mikhail Kovalenko, Deputy Head of Belhydromet, spoke about the role of Belhydromet's specialists in assessing the radiation situation, highlighting their promptness, professionalism, and ability to place duty above personal safety.

Yuri Shumsky, Chairman of the Belarusian Professional Union of Forestry and Environmental Management Workers, noted that the Chernobyl accident served as a lesson for the entire world, teaching us to value safety and care for future generations.

After the official part, the event participants went to the Park of Peoples' Friendship to lay flowers at the memorial signs "To the Akhvyars of Charnobyl" and  "The Peace Stone of Hiroshima."

The Chernobyl events will forever remain in memory, reminding us of the fragility of the natural world and the invaluable experience we gained in overcoming this terrible accident. Our task is to remember, draw conclusions, and live in such a way that the traces of such accidents remain only on the pages of history.

Today, Belhydromet continues its important work of monitoring the radiation situation, preserving and building upon the experience gained during the liquidation of the Chernobyl accident's aftermath.