Ukrainian authorities on Thursday called on fans of a popular video game set in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, north of kyiv, not to travel to the contaminated site. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobylreleased Wednesday, is a video game published by a Ukrainian studio whose action takes place in the area ravaged by the nuclear disaster of April 26, 1986.
In this game, players navigate a post-apocalyptic territory around the nuclear power plant, filled with mutants and humanoid monsters. “It was found that a considerable number of adventurers who attempted to illegally enter the forbidden zone in search of thrills were video game enthusiasts”deplored the Ukrainian border guards in a press release on Thursday.
«Contamination radioactive intense»
“The exclusion zone is an area closed to the public and subject to intense radioactive contamination. Illegal entry and stay in this area are punishable by administrative and criminal sanctions.they added. Nearly 120 foreigners were arrested for illegally entering the area in 2021, before Russia's invasion, according to figures released by border guards. Their number “decreased” since the Russian invasion in February 2022, “but there are still some”explains a source within the border guards to AFP.
“These are mainly Ukrainians who wanted to visit the Chernobyl zone and walk in places where it is forbidden to walk”said this source. The Chernobyl exclusion zone is one of the most radioactively contaminated areas in the world. Before the Russian invasion in February 2022, it was possible to visit the site with a guide, but for almost three years the area has been completely closed to tourists.
