The Chernobyl disaster occurred in 1986. This catastrophic nuclear accident took place on April 26 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, then part of the Soviet Union. A reactor explosion released a massive amount of radioactive material into the atmosphere, causing widespread contamination. The disaster led to the evacuation of thousands of people and sparked extensive environmental and health concerns. The aftermath resulted in significant changes to nuclear policies and safety regulations worldwide. The area surrounding Chernobyl remains largely uninhabited and is now a focus of studies on the long-term effects of radiation exposure.