SoloEast Travel

18/04/2026

Update on the New Safe Confinement (Chernobyl NPP)

According to Chornobyl NPP General Director Serhii Tarakanov, the situation at the New Safe Confinement (NSC) remains under control.

• The Shelter (“Object Ukrittya”) continues to perform its function as designed
• After the drone strike on February 14, 2025, the NSC Arch lost full airtightness, but still maintains environmental isolation of the destroyed reactor
• No critical damage to load-bearing structures has been recorded
• Radiation levels remain within normal limits — no abnormal releases detected
• The facility is in a controlled condition
• Risks of uncontrolled radioactive release are currently assessed as minimal

Work is ongoing to restore full airtightness of the NSC.

26/01/2025

15 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT UKRAINE 🇺🇦 THAT YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW:

1. EUROPE'S LARGEST COUNTRY: Ukraine is the largest country entirely within Europe, spanning a vast area of over 603,500 square kilometers.

2. RICH HISTORY: Ukraine has a long and rich history, dating back to the 9th century with the establishment of Kievan Rus, one of the first East Slavic states.

3. BLACK SEA COAST: Ukraine boasts a significant stretch of coastline along the Black Sea, offering beautiful beaches and resorts.

4. CHERNOBYL EXCLUSION ZONE: The Chernobyl disaster in 1986 had a profound impact on Ukraine, leading to the creation of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, a vast area restricted due to radiation.

5. FERTILE LAND: Ukraine is known as the "breadbasket of Europe" due to its fertile soil and agricultural abundance.

6. UNDERGROUND CITY: Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, has an extensive network of underground tunnels and passages, some dating back to World War II.

7. WORLD'S LARGEST AIRCRAFT: The Antonov An-225 Mriya, once the world's largest aircraft, was designed and manufactured in Ukraine.

8. UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES: Ukraine has several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historic center of Lviv, the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery complex, and the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv.

9. FOOTBALL POWERHOUSE: Ukraine has a strong football (soccer) tradition, with a passionate fan base and a competitive national team.

10. DIVERSE CULTURE: Ukrainian culture is a blend of Eastern and Western influences, reflected in its language, music, dance, and cuisine.

11. CHOCOLATE PRODUCTION: Ukraine is a significant producer of chocolate, with several renowned confectionery brands.

12. SPACE EXPLORATION: Ukraine has a history of involvement in space exploration, contributing to various space programs.

13. HOME TO THE WORLD'S LONGEST SUBWAY SYSTEM: Kyiv's metro system is one of the world's longest, covering over 69 kilometers of track.

14. RICH IN NATURAL RESOURCES: Ukraine possesses significant natural resources, including coal, iron ore, natural gas, and timber.

15. VIBRANT ARTS SCENE: Ukraine has a thriving arts scene, with talented artists, musicians, and writers making significant contributions to the global cultural landscape.

26/04/2024

In the wake of the devastating Chernobyl accident 28 years prior, the nearby town Ivankiv, once shadowed by the looming exclusion zone, now finds itself grappling with a new challenge: the aftermath of a five-week Russian invasion. Despite the scars of both natural and man-made disasters, the resilient inhabitants are determined to rebuild and reclaim their sense of normalcy amidst Ukraine’s ongoing fight for freedom. Through unity, courage, and unwavering resilience, they strive to forge a brighter future, drawing strength from their shared history and the hope for a better tomorrow.

31/12/2023

Wishing the world a Happy New Year n may Peace find us all in 2024!

03/12/2023

As you may be aware, there's an ongoing conflict initiated by Russia in Ukraine. Over the past 10 months, our guide Nazar has been actively engaged in combat against the enemy near Kupyansk, north of Bahmut. Unfortunately, last week, Junior Lieutenant Nazar Vilchinsky sustained severe injuries during a drone strike. He suffered damage to both of his hands and also sustained two wounds to his neck. After receiving initial medical attention at a partially damaged hospital in Kharkiv, Nazar was transferred to Kiev.

Despite efforts, he was initially denied admission to the military hospital due to limited space. However, with the help of friends, he found himself in the care of a surgeon who happened to be his schoolmate at a state clinic. Thankfully, he's beginning to feel better under their care. However, there are additional surgeries ahead and a long road to recovery, especially for his badly fractured arm that's missing a piece of bone.

Nazar has a loving family with two small children—a girl and a boy. We extend our heartfelt wishes for his full recovery and support for his family during this challenging time.

If you wish to send him words of encouragement and support, you can reach out directly to his email at [email protected]. Your moral support means a lot to Nazar and his family. And YES- he can handle his phone somehow.
And if you are able to help him financially here are the details:
1. PayPal - [email protected]
OR
2. Account number (IBAN): GB16CLJU00997184050717
BIC: CLJUGB21
Account Holder Name: VILCHINSKYI NAZAR
Bank: Clear Junction Limited
Bank address: 15 Kingsway, London WC2B 6UN

30/11/2023

Interesting and sobering documentary

Russian President Vladimir Putin is laying claim to 1.2 million square kilometers in the Arctic. His main objectives appear to be the colonization of the Arc...

10/11/2023

Chernobyl Bear 🐻- real one.

27/06/2023

Back on February 23rd, 2022, when Russians occupied Orane, the local community found themselves unable to resist the overwhelming presence of the invaders. As a result, they made the brave decision to stay inside their homes, choosing peace over confrontation. 🏡🌿

At first, the Russians seemed indifferent to the Ukrainian people, but unfortunately, their true colors were soon revealed. They began looting the local shop and burgling the houses of those who had left. It was disheartening to witness such acts, as cherished belongings like garage tools, gas, chain saws, vehicles, ATVs, small-sized TVs, kitchen utensils, and beddings were taken away. 😔

Among the possessions left behind was one of our minivans, carefully stored in one of the yards in Orane. The Russian invaders couldn't resist the opportunity and attempted to steal it, envisioning a comfortable journey back to Siberia (Buryatia, to be precise). However, they soon realized that starting a newer Mercedes by hotwiring it is nearly impossible. Despite their efforts, they only managed to damage the minibus wiring without achieving their goal. They were foiled! 🚐💥

Now, with immense gratitude, we can proudly announce that we have successfully repaired the Benz. As soon as circumstances allow, it will serve as a means of transportation, taking tourists to Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Thanks to our undying spirit and knowledge of hidden gems, we have discovered a few more captivating places of interest for you to explore. 🗺️✨
We salute the resilience of the Orane community and their determination to rise above the hardships they have faced. Together, let us look forward to brighter days, where we can welcome you to experience the unique allure of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. 🌈🌍
Together, we can rebuild, thrive, and create a future filled with hope and unity. Let us continue to support one another and cherish the strength within us. 🤝❤️

17/03/2023

We asked the machine (OpenAI's ChatGPT to be precise) why the tours to Chernobyl are so popular? Here is the artificial intelligence's answer based on texts gleaned across the internet, including online encyclopedias, books, academic journals and blogs:
"Chernobyl tourism has become popular in recent years because of the unique and haunting experience it provides. The Chernobyl disaster, which occurred in 1986, was one of the worst nuclear disasters in history, and the abandoned city of Pripyat and the surrounding exclusion zone have become a ghostly monument to the tragedy.

Tourists are drawn to the site because it offers a chance to see a place frozen in time, with abandoned buildings, vehicles, and other remnants of life before the disaster. It also provides an opportunity to learn about the history and consequences of the disaster, as well as the science behind nuclear power.

The popularity of Chernobyl tourism has also been fueled by media coverage, including documentaries and television shows such as HBO's "Chernobyl," which has generated interest in the site. Additionally, the Ukrainian government has recently eased travel restrictions to the area, making it easier for visitors to access the site.

However, it's important to note that the site is still highly contaminated, and visitors must follow strict safety guidelines and regulations to protect themselves."
Do you agree with ChatGPT?

24/02/2023

The most popular soup in Ukraine.

Meat features in many borsch recipes. However, Ukranian chef Ievgen Klopotenko makes a vegetarian version with potatoes, red beans and cabbage – and of course, beetroot as the star.

15/02/2023

Those of you who’ve been to Chernobyl also had a chance to visit Duga, over the horizon radar aka Russian Woodpecker used by the Soviets to detect missile launches across the pond. We also advised you to watch this 11 years documentary https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xrcu9h to have an idea about the possible danger of interfering with the ionosphere. Or maybe it was the real reason why the Duga and HARP projects were terminated.
I’m pretty sure that stratostats accidents and the earthquake in Turkey are not connected but lack of information from the official sources makes people wonder.