Chernobyl's last wedding: The couple who married as a nuclear disaster unfolded
Serhiy and Iryna married 40 years ago, unaware a nuclear reactor had exploded less than 3 miles away.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"It was as if a lot of planes were flying overhead, everything was humming and the glass in the windows shook."
— Iryna Stetsenko , Other
"I felt a shake, as if some kind of wave passed."
— Serhiy Lobanov , Other
"Everyone understood that something had happened, but no one knew the details."
— Serhiy Lobanov , Other
"We just hugged each other and moved in the hug."
— Iryna Stetsenko , Other
Key People
Locations
All Coverage
Serhiy and Iryna married 40 years ago, unaware a nuclear reactor had exploded less than 3 miles away.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Russian glide bomb attack on Zaporizhzhia kills at least 15 people
Children are among the victims, authorities say, and more victims could still be buried in the rubble of a large apartment block that was destroyed.
October 10, 2026 at 11:17 AMRussian attack on Ukrainian city kills 12, a day after Trump eases diesel sanctions on Moscow - Reuters
Russian attack on Ukrainian city kills 12, a day after Trump eases diesel sanctions on Moscow Reuters
October 10, 2026 at 06:39 AMNord Stream trial: How German police followed the evidence - to Ukraine
After four years, a Ukrainian man is set to stand trial in Hamburg accused of sabotaging the Nord Stream pipelines.
October 10, 2026 at 04:51 AMTrump announces deal for Russian diesel as Zelensky calls it a gift to Putin
Ukraine's president sharply criticised the move, calling it an "investment in war that must be ended, not prolonged".
October 10, 2026 at 12:45 AMUS-Ukraine-European negotiators meet in Miami as Trump announces diesel deal with Russia - Reuters
US-Ukraine-European negotiators meet in Miami as Trump announces diesel deal with Russia Reuters
October 10, 2026 at 12:03 AMAshe was too scared to cancel her wedding - the story became a hit song
US singer-songwriter Ashe reveals the story behind her international smash hit, Stop The Wedding.
October 9, 2026 at 11:01 PM