Chernobyl Roulette: A War Story Kindle Edition by Serhii Plokhy

•Ukraine•History•Chernobyl

“A necessary book – and I can think of no writer better qualified to write it.” — Cal Flyn

What if Chernobyl was just the beginning?

Award-winning author Serhii Plokhy, winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize, returns to Chernobyl to recount the harrowing thirty-five days of war during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On February 24, 2022, the first day of the invasion, Russian armoured vehicles approached the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, once again bringing the site to the center of global attention. This reckless move, so soon after the 1986 disaster, marked the beginning of Russia’s occupation of the plant—a tense, 35-day ordeal.

Told through multiple perspectives, Chernobyl Roulette paints a vivid picture of the Ukrainian workers who found themselves hostage to a deadly situation, forced to work long shifts to prevent a nuclear catastrophe. From Valentyn Heiko, who had survived the 1986 disaster and turned sixty during the occupation, to workers who celebrated International Women’s Day in secret, and even the Russian officers with no knowledge of nuclear safety—this book reveals the unforgettable human stories behind the events.

Gripping and unforgettable, Chernobyl Roulette serves as a warning about the vulnerability of nuclear sites in times of conflict. Plokhy's storytelling, full of suspense and heart, provides a profound reflection on human courage, uncertainty, and survival under the threat of a new nuclear disaster.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin (1 May 2025)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1802065059
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1802065053
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.9 x 1.3 x 19.8 cm