Chernobyl Robotic Vehicles Graveyard

Liquidation of the consequences of Chernobyl accident started as soon as it became clear that the situation is serious and fourth reactor is out of control. Evacuation of population, decontamination of the surroundings of the power plant and 30km zone, construction of Sarcophagus – these are just some of the tasks that needed more than 600,000 people to be accomplished. Obviously, there was a need for huge amount of the vehicles. Today, many of them rest in vehicle graveyards in Chernobyl zone.

Which Vehicles Were Used for Liquidation of the Chernobyl Accident

In the liquidation of the Chernobyl disaster, not only people participated, but a huge number of equipment and cars. Various engineering vehicles and helicopters were actively used. Special equipment designed for the conditions of a nuclear plant was used there too. That’s why Chernobyl abandoned vehicles you can see almost everywhere in the area of the exclusion zone.

After the consequences of the accident were liquidated, all the «iron» took too much radiation, which completely excluded the possibility of its further use.

To store all used and irradiated equipment and vehicles within the exclusion zone, special Chernobyl vehicle graveyards were created, the size of which is striking even today.

Buriakivka Vehicles Graveyard in Chernobyl

As long technique was working in contaminated zones, it was not able to come back to the «clean land» without being decontaminated. However, not all of them could be cleaned up. The most contaminated ones were left in the burial site called «Buriakivka» which is located approximately 4 km away from the power plant.

Buryakivka is a small village whose residents were relocated to neighboring areas after the accident at the nuclear plant. The burial ground was created by scientists from the Leningrad Institute. The basis for the development was the drawings of typical projects of surface storage facilities for radioactive waste. The Chernobyl car graveyard in Buriakivka was put into operation in 1987.

Buryakivka was chosen for a reason as a Chernobyl vehicle graveyard. The village is located at a sufficient distance from water bodies and settlements, therefore it meets all the strict requirements for the storage of radioactive waste.This Chernobyl machine graveyard in Buriakivka has a big size – 1200×700 m – and has 30 trenches with buried equipment and vehicles.

The famous «robot» Joker (the one made by Germans to clean up the roof of the third reactor and didn’t work longer than 40 seconds) is left there as well.

Vehicles Graveyard near Village of Rozsokha

Another Chernobyl vehicle graveyard is located in the 30 km zone close to the village of Rozsokha. This one was supposed to be a temporary one. It was thought that cleaning up would take a lot of time and resources, so some of the vehicles could simply «wait» till the radioactive decay decreases the level of radiation on their surface. This site had some buses and a lot of other cars.

The Chernobyl helicopter graveyard is also here. In general, there was equipment and vehicles, the total cost of which was more than $ 48 million.

Unfortunately, since 2000, many of those cars have been cut for scrap metal and looted. In 2006, the active process of liquidating the sump began. At the end of 2012, Rassokha was officially liquidated. At the moment, the equipment on the territory of the graveyard in «Rassokha» has been preserved only in the form of a few remaining scrap metals.

Truck Graveyards in Prypiat

Finally, one Chernobyl truck graveyard is located in Prypiat. That one contains some of the armored vehicles and even a couple of trucks called Belaz. Those ones were used to pour water on Prypiat streets to prevent the dust from being blown off.

A huge sprinkler on a BelAZ chassis helped in the decontamination of standard sprinklers and firemen, washing the facades of houses, streets, and trees. A huge tank was installed on the truck, which contained about 30 thousand liters of decontamination solution. A so-called hydro monitor on an electrically driven carriage was installed on top of the cab of the vehicle, which could be controlled by the driver directly from the cab. It was assumed that such a powerful truck would be enough to decontaminate (wash) 16-storey buildings in Pripyat. The water jet was supposed to reach the height that ordinary fire trucks with a standard fire pump could not reach.

The Chernobyl track graveyard was in use till autumn, 2019. So the condition of the vehicles there is one of the best out of all Chernobyl car graveyards.

There are also many other villages in the exclusion zone, where you can see the equipment used in the liquidation of the accident. A lot of different cars can see near the Yanov station, in the village of Kopachi, Zimovishchi, and even just in the forests in the exclusion zone. You can see the Graveyard of the Vehicles with your own eyes with our exclusive Chernobyl tours.

FAQ – Graveyard of the Vehicles

What is the Graveyard of the Vehicles in Chernobyl?

The Graveyard of the Vehicles in Chernobyl is a place where vehicles used during the cleanup operations after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster were dumped. These vehicles, including helicopters, trucks, and bulldozers, were highly contaminated by radiation.

Can I visit the Graveyard of the Vehicles in Chernobyl?

Yes, it’s possible to visit the Graveyard of the Vehicles as part of a guided tour to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. However, keep in mind that the area is still contaminated with radiation, so it’s essential to follow safety guidelines and the instructions of your tour guide.

Is it safe to visit the Graveyard of the Vehicles in Chernobyl?

Visiting the Graveyard of the Vehicles is generally considered safe for short periods, as long as you follow the safety guidelines provided by the tour operator and your guide. It’s important to remember that these vehicles are highly contaminated and should not be touched.

Are there any restrictions at the Graveyard of the Vehicles in Chernobyl?

Yes, touching the vehicles and entering some areas of the graveyard might be restricted due to the high levels of radiation. Your guide will provide you with specific instructions to ensure your safety during the visit.

Can I take photos at the Graveyard of the Vehicles in Chernobyl?

You are allowed to take photos during your visit, but always follow the instructions of your guide. Some areas or objects might have restrictions due to safety reasons.