This chapter explores the immediate and far-reaching effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 26 April 1986. It contrasts the Soviet Union’s portrayal of nuclear power as a symbol of progress with the grim reality following Reactor No. 4’s explosion. The Soviet government’s initial response, marked by secrecy and denial, worsened the disaster’s impact on the environment and the people. Globally, the reaction was swift, with countries demanding transparency and offering assistance, which the Soviet Union officially denied but secretly accepted. The disaster fuelled widespread fear and scepticism about nuclear energy, sparking anti-nuclear protests and policy changes worldwide. In the US, Chernobyl reignited debates over nuclear safety, closely monitored by government and intelligence agencies. A poignant outcome was the plight of the ‘Chernobyl children’, who faced an uncertain future. International efforts provided these children with medical care, reflecting global solidarity. The chapter emphasizes how Chernobyl became a symbol of nuclear peril and a catalyst for humanitarian action, as the world grappled with the lasting consequences of living in irradiated landscapes.