Construction of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station, 1970s Engineers and technicians working on the fuel rod area of Reactor No. 1 during the construction of the Chernobyl nuclear power station in northern Ukraine. Built by the Soviet Union starting in 1970, the first reactor became operational in 1977. In total, four RBMK reactors were completed, with the last finished in 1983. The nearby city of Pripyat was founded to house the plant's workers and their families. This site would later become known

"The city of Pripyat, which arose during the construction of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant". Excerpt from 1982 Soviet documentary film. | Soviet Visuals