Historian Serhii Plokhy, in his book 'Chernobyl Roulette,' characterizes the invasion of Ukrainian nuclear facilities as an act of nuclear terrorism, calling for global awareness and reform of nuclear governance.

Plokhy emphasizes the heroism of those who averted a potential nuclear crisis and urges a reevaluation of international nuclear safety protocols.

The occupation was deemed reckless, as soldiers dug trenches in contaminated areas, raising serious health and environmental concerns.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced criticism for its muted response during the invasion, failing to condemn Russia's actions or demand their withdrawal.

Acts of resistance emerged among the captives, including Liudmyla Kozak, who creatively defied orders and the staff's efforts to stay informed about the war.

After three weeks, Heiko and his team were replaced by another group of volunteers who entered the plant under similarly precarious circumstances.

In addition to Chornobyl, Russian forces also captured the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, further escalating nuclear safety concerns across the region.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces began on February 24, 2022, with troops advancing from Belarus towards Kyiv, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.

During this invasion, Russian forces captured the Chornobyl nuclear power station, taking its 300 personnel hostage.

Amidst this chaos, Valentyn Heiko, a 59-year-old shift foreman, exhibited remarkable leadership by threatening Russian soldiers with a radiation incident unless they followed Ukrainian safety protocols.

On March 30, 2022, Russian troops withdrew from Chornobyl, leaving behind stolen equipment and contributing to widespread looting in the surrounding area.

Reports indicated that while some Russian soldiers were cooperative, others were heavily intoxicated and aggressive, complicating the situation for the Ukrainian staff.