Chernobyl and its neighboring city Pripyat are two of the most haunting abandoned places on earth - but what is it really like in the exclusion zone today? In this season finale we'll hear from Mykhailo "Misha" Teslenko, a Ukrainian guide who has spend years exploring the remains of the worst nuclear disaster ever. We'll talk about what the real risks of radiation exposure are, the people who still live and work in the exclusion zone, and why so many things you may assume about Chernobyl are wrong. We'll also cover the dangerous and foolish actions of the Russian soldiers who recently invaded it, and why they posed such a danger to the rest of the world. Finally, we'll discuss Misha's return to his home in Bucha after the Russian massacres there, and what it is like living through one of the most horrifying genocides in modern history. Special thanks to musician Elizaveta, who allowed us to share her beautiful song "Home" at the end of the episode.
Show Notes: https://www.abandonedamerica.us/the-myths-realities-of-chernobyl
Misha's links: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Elizaveta's links: Website | Twitch | Spotify | Twitter
Donate to the Government of Ukraine: https://war.ukraine.ua/donate/
View Abandoned America's Chernobyl/Pripyat Photo Gallery: https://www.abandonedamerica.us/chernobyl-pripyat
Support the Abandoned America podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AbandonedAmerica
