Awareness of Ukrainians about Chornobyl Disaster: Results of Online Survey by Uatom.org

On the anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, 26 April, the Uatom.org Editorial Board initiated an online survey aimed at assessing the overall level of public awareness, identifying informational gaps, and determining topics that require broader coverage. The survey included questions related to the events of the Chornobyl disaster, its consequences, as well as current threats during the war in Ukraine, and lasted for one month.

According to the survey results, 32.4% of respondents consider their level of awareness about the Chornobyl disaster sufficient. At the same time, 62.7% of participants indicated that they have only a partial understanding of the events and consequences of the tragedy. Another 2% of respondents reported an almost complete lack of knowledge on this topic, while 2.9% were unable to assess their level of awareness.

The highest level of awareness was observed regarding the health consequences of the disaster (79,4%) and the government’s concealment of the truth (77,5%). In third place was the delayed evacuation of the public (65,7%), which indicates that public attention is primarily focused on the direct threats to people and the authorities’ response to the emergency. It is noteworthy that none of the participants selected the option “None of the above,” which suggests that all respondents demonstrated at least a basic level of awareness.

Regarding sources of information, the majority of respondents indicated that they learned about the Chornobyl disaster from television and documentary films — 72.5% of respondents named this channel as their primary source of knowledge. The second source was the school curriculum, mentioned by 57.8% of participants. The third most popular source was books and articles (40.2%), along with social networks and platforms such as YouTube (35.3%), reflecting current trends in information consumption, particularly among young people.

The overall level of awareness of Ukrainian society about the Chornobyl disaster was assessed by the majority of respondents (53.9%) as average. At the same time, 21.6% of survey participants considered it low, while only 12.7% rated it as high.

When assessing the safety of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (ChEZ), 53.9% of respondents considered it generally safe but noted the presence of risks associated with radiation hazards. Another 24.5% assessed the territory as hazardous, while 13.7% of survey participants indicated that it was difficult for them to answer this question. Separately, 6.9% of respondents drew attention to potential risks related to the possible collapse of buildings in Prypyat. 

The survey results show that the most widely known fact among respondents is the holding of Chornobyl NPP staff hostage during the occupation, reported by 78.4% of participants. In second place in terms of awareness is the transformation of ChNPP facilities into temporary military bases of the occupiers (62.7%). A significant number of respondents are also aware of the local increase in radiation levels due to the occupiers’ presence in the “Red Forest” (54.9%), the material damage caused (54.9%), and mining of the Exclusion Zone territory (52.9%).

Almost half of the respondents (49%) are well-informed about the strike by a russian combat drone on the New Safe Confinement at ChNPP and the subsequent fire, which caused significant damage (February 2025), while almost the same number (46.1%) have heard about the event but not in detail. This may indicate wide coverage of the event in the information space, but at the same time — a lack of deep understanding of the situation among part of the audience.

In response to the question of where exactly the respondents learned about this incident, most answers referred to Telegram channels (68%). This indicates the dominant role of messengers as a source of operational information. Additionally, 46% of respondents learned about the event through social networks.

Regarding attitudes toward nuclear energy, more than half of the respondents (51%) reported that they have not changed and remain positive. In contrast, 18.6% of respondents began to feel more anxious, which led to the formation of a negative attitude toward nuclear energy and the need to seek alternatives. Another 14.7% of respondents showed an increased interest in the topic of nuclear energy while forming a more positive attitude. 13.7% of participants admitted that they had not considered this issue, and only 1% of respondents indicated that their attitude remained negative and they insist on the need for a complete rejection of nuclear energy.

The results also indicate a high level of emotional engagement:

• 28.4% of respondents noted that the topic does not cause anxiety or fear.
• At the same time, 27.5% of respondents answered that this topic sometimes causes anxious emotions, but rarely.
• 24.5% indicated that they periodically feel anxiety.
• 19.6% of participants reported feeling fear or anxiety every time they hear about Chornobyl.

Among the aspects that cause the greatest concern during the war, respondents most often mentioned:

• accident at Zaporizhzhya NPP, which is under russian occupation – 67.6%;
• possibility of new incidents due to the war – 61.8%;
• radiation release caused by military actions of the russian army and mining of territories – 54.9%;
• repeat of a “Chornobyl-like” disaster at operating NPPs in Ukraine – 47.1%.

Concerns are also raised by:

• condition of the Shelter due to the russian drone strike – 26.5%;
• fires in the Exclusion Zone – 24.5%;
• insufficient control by the state – 21.6%;
• social injustice toward liquidators – 17.6%;
• lack of clear information on ChNPP and the Exclusion Zone – 14.7%;
• loss of radiation sources in temporarily occupied territories – 13.7%.

Finally, respondents were asked the question: “What information on the Chornobyl disaster would you be interested in receiving from journalists or official sources?” Respondents could choose multiple answers. The results indicate a significant audience interest in the historical, analytical, and safety aspects of the topic. The greatest interest was shown in the following topics:

• historical facts and little-known episodes – 62.7%;
• current threats related to the war (occupation, strikes, looting) – 55.9%;
• current state of the Shelter and Chornobyl Exclusion Zone – 52.9%;
• radiation background monitoring – 47.1%.

At the same time, respondents show interest in personal stories of liquidators (44.1%) and the impact of the disaster on health (38.2%). To a lesser extent, survey participants are interested in the cultural aspect of covering the topic (28.4%) and the tourist potential of the Exclusion Zone (23.5%).ь культурний аспект висвітлення теми (28,4%) та туристичний потенціал зони відчуження (23,5%). 

The Uatom.org Editorial Board thanks its readers for participating in the online survey. The results obtained will serve as a valuable guide for shaping thematic priorities and preparing future publications aimed at increasing awareness of the Chornobyl disaster, its consequences, as well as current threats caused by the war in Ukraine.

Uatom.org Editorial Board