“The most dangerous job in the world”: The scientist who explores the radioactive labyrinth beneath the Chernobyl reactor

Imagine having to navigate an underground labyrinth so contaminated with radiation that, in some areas, you can only stay inside for four minutes before putting your life at risk. Anatolii Doroshenko, a 38-year-old Ukrainian scientist, does just that every month beneath the destroyed Chernobyl reactor. What is surprising is not just the physical danger; it is that, forty years after the nuclear disaster, the real threat is not the past, but rather forgetfulness and complacency. It would be natural to think that the danger is over or that machines can replace people, but the reality is different. Hundreds of tons of nuclear fuel remain underground, inaccessible even to robots, and only constant monitoring by humans can prevent another disaster. Anatolii is not a classic hero, but rather someone who has learned to use fear as a tool: he says the greatest risk is getting used to it, losing respect for the danger, and forgetting that everything—from a glove to the air—could be contaminated. His routine sounds like something out of science fiction: flashlights in dark corridors, contamination maps, clothing that is destroyed after a single use, and a mandatory shower upon leaving. There is a room where the radiation is so intense that staying just a few minutes longer could be fatal. Even so, Anatolii describes an “almost euphoric” feeling, similar to climbing Everest, every time he completes an inspection without errors. But far from seeking glory, he emphasizes the importance of control and vigilance: if scientists stop going down into the reactor, the radioactive processes would become uncontrollable. The steel dome that covers the plant, taller than the Statue of Liberty, can only delay the problem: human oversight remains irreplaceable. Think about this the next time you hear the word Chernobyl: the greatest danger is not an explosion, but the temptation to forget and stop monitoring. No one tells it like Doroshenko, who admits that he would keep going down into the reactor for as long as he could, because he still doesn't see a new generation ready to take over. Perhaps the most disturbing thing is that his job, which seems to be the most dangerous in the world, is also one of the most invisible. There is one angle that is almost never discussed: the greatest nuclear threat today is not technological, but social. The danger lies in our collective memory fading, in losing our fear just when we need it most to keep us alert. Radiation never rests, and every routine, every check, is what separates normality from another catastrophe. Chernobyl must not be forgotten, and the real risk is indifference. If this underground journey made you see nuclear safety in a new light, you can mark it with I'm In in Lara Notes: it's your way of saying that this is now part of your understanding of the world. And if you ever tell someone Anatolii's story or the phrase “fear is your friend in Chernobyl,” in Lara Notes, you can use Shared Offline to document that conversation that did matter. I found this story on BBC News Mundo, and it has saved you 3 minutes of reading.