The complete closure of Chernobyl-2 did not occur all at once - until 1987 it was inhabited. But over time, it became clear that it was impossible to maintain it under the conditions of the Chernobyl alienation zone. The main units of the OHRLS system were dismantled and taken away to Komsomolsk.
Today, it is indeed a real ghost town. Abandoned by the military and almost forgotten by people, the city is ravaged by radioactive contamination and dirty, cluttered forests. To the city, as in "The Inhabited Island" by Strugatsky, is an old, forgotten road from concrete slabs.
Today, travel to the city and OHRLS is difficult. The object regime is under the constant protection of one of the enterprises that works in the Chernobyl Zone.
Many can talk about the reigning devastation of Chernobyl-2 and the devastation of civilian and other buildings, as well as bringing about the depth of anguish when contemplating these places. It is possible to speak about nature's absorption of this technogenic monster, which consists of "tightening" of the concrete coating of roads and sidewalks by alluvial soil substrate and the decomposed remains of vegetation. Some brick structures are destroyed by trees which have grown on the structures' roofs and brick walls.
Yes, that's all there and all this is very impressive.
But these same processes are taking place throughout the Chernobyl alienation zone. Man abandoned settlements - buildings, roads and communications destroyed by the action of natural forces. Nature tends to balance and gradually get rid of the "footprints" of people.
After working in the exclusion zone for quite a long time, you get used to it and only from time to time you notice changes, a gradual transformation from an urban landscape to a natural landscape.
Chernobyl-2 is shocking. This is a unique monument to the intellectual power of military engineers of the Soviet Union. Chernobyl-2 eloquently and persuasively demonstrates a level of scientific, financial and raw potential of the military-industrial industry of the state. When viewing the towers and radar elements, involuntarily you reflect on the enormous resources spent on the creation of this unique complex. In fact, even today in 2008, the metal designs are sufficiently reliable and most importantly, they carry out their functional purpose - to hold up the enormous weight from the radar elements (vibrators) mounted on them. The cables bearing the masts and vibrators are without significant corrosive damage.
Intricately looking elevators in which service personnel were lifted to high locations. Now, elevators are on the ground with open doors, as if inviting...
Having thrown back your head looking upwards, you look at masts and somewhere there, in the sky above, clouds slowly pass by. It seems that time has stopped near the metal structures, and these structures, arguing in the course of time, cannot stand another ten years.
The unique facility, as it is easy to guess, demanded serious measures of protection. The perimeter configuration of a strict security zone can be seen now. On the external side, the solid perimeter fence guarding the site is topped with tight electric "barbs". At one time, the barbs were energized. Now on this fence hangs the laconic inscription, perhaps ever since 1986 - "Stop! Contaminated!", though signs of radiating danger are not visible.
From the inside, behind the fence, barricades of barbed wire were installed and patrol paths were established nearby. Observation towers were located at the corners of the security zone. Small, stocky structures of metal and wood look sad against the backdrop of the surrounding nature. Not far from the towers "fungi" (pickets) were arranged for the sentinels. Some are equipped with special intercoms. These devices are very rare, and surprisingly, have not been touched by looters - all the wires and even the tube is in place...
Very few people know, but except for the giant masts, the OHRLS was equipped with radar and a unique system of satellite communications. This facility is easily seen in aerial photographs (see aerial photograph). For example, the satellite, as presented in the Internet-source "Wikipedia" is listed as a "Satellite communications center." According to other indicated sources, the primary objective of the station Recurrent–Obliquely Sensing was an index objective for the larger radars of OHRLS.
However, the purpose of this element OHRLS was not for an ordinary person, it looked unusual. It is a platform in the form of a circle, with a diameter of 300 meters. On the perimeter, intricate elements (vibrators) covered by chrome or other corrosion-resistant metal. Gleaming in the sun, and partially hidden in the thickets of vegetation, these elements are somewhat mysterious.
In the middle of the "Circle" is a stocky, one-storied building. Possibly, it was an important element of Duga. The building, judging by the remnants of metal structures inside, was "filled to the ceiling" with electronics and other equipment. Today, the building is devastated and forgotten.
In conclusion, it would seem desirable to avoid trite words about admiration of the seen, unforgettable impressions you are left with after visiting, etc. This is clear, I hope, and without explanations. Leaving Chernobyl-2, I was not left with feelings of disappointment and bitterness. I absolutely do not understand the reasons for the isolation of the structure from the public. After all, today Chernobyl-2 is unique. It is unique in that it is the only object that survived up to our time. No other similar objects (in Nikolaev and Komsomolsk-on-Amur) no longer exist! Chernobyl-2 is the last surviving Soviet military monster that glances on the horizon. The superstate has disintegrated, leaving us with the memory of its military might. So why do we, instead of mere memory and simple human respect, betrayed this forgotten unique object and the people who created it!
Recently, there was a message in the media that Fyodor Bondarchuk tried to escape "The Inhabited Island" of Strugatsky. How unfortunate that filming for the movie did not involve
Brief historical information:
Designers and developers of OHRLS - E. Shtyren, V. Shamshin, Franz Kuzminsky, E. Shustov
Date and place of construction of the first OHRLS: ?in 1975 in the city Komsomolsk-on-Amur
The first pilot inclusion of OHRLS at Chernobyl-2: 1980
Design Institute: NIIDAR (Research Institute of Far Radio - http://www.niidar-rts.ru/)
P.S. Technical Information contained in this report was obtained from open and publicly available sources.