Chernobyl: A Visual Chronicle of Resilience Amidst War

Photographer Pierpaolo Mittica has dedicated over six years to documenting life in Chernobyl and the surrounding exclusion zone, producing a new book that highlights the enduring spirit of communities affected by the 1986 nuclear disaster. Since his first visit in 2002, Mittica has captured the lives of those who returned to their evacuated villages, as well as the military personnel, scientists, and reactor operators still present in the region.

His poignant work reflects on relationships formed amid adversity. "Most of the radiation-affected children I photographed on my first visits are no longer alive," Mittica states, emphasizing the importance of remembrance through his photography. The new book sheds light on the resilience of approximately 4,000 residents who have returned to Chernobyl despite previous evacuations.

However, recent geopolitical tensions have had significant repercussions. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the exclusion zone has become heavily mined and inaccessible to visitors. "Despite being one of the most contaminated places on Earth, the Chernobyl dead zone was full of life before the war," Mittica noted, highlighting the stark contrast between the region’s past and present conditions.

Mittica's work serves not only as a visual documentation of the past but also as a poignant reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by those living in the shadow of the historic nuclear disaster.