Ecocritical Understanding of the Chornobyl Zone in Sergii Plokhiy’s Book «Chernobyl Roulette: War in the Nuclear Disaster Zone»

Abstract

The article offers an ecocritical analysis of Serhii Plokhii’s “Chernobyl Roulette: War in the Nuclear Disaster Zone”, in which the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone is presented as a symbol of multidimensional ecological trauma. The study examines the historical, cultural, and social consequences of the 1986 nuclear catastrophe, as well as the impact of the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war on this space. Through the interplay of documentary, journalistic, and literary discourses, Plokhii demonstrates that Chornobyl cannot be viewed solely as a historical event: it shapes contemporary discourse on ecological crisis, becomes a site of collective memory, and stands as a symbol of humanity’s responsibility toward the environment. The text incorporates eyewitness testimonies, the author’s interpretation of facts, and a reconstruction of the atmosphere of the Exclusion Zone, creating a strong effect of presence. Ecocritical analysis makes it possible to conceptualize the Chornobyl Zone as a space where several dimensions intersect: socio-political, ecological, historical-cultural, and symbolic. The socio-political dimension is manifested in the crisis of global institutions and the threat to nuclear safety during the occupation of the plant in 2022. The ecological dimension emerges in the combination of the consequences of a technological catastrophe and wartime violence, producing a space of “double trauma.” The historical-cultural dimension reflects Chornobyl’s legacy as a symbol of loss, renewal, and national identity. The symbolic dimension is evident in the metaphorical meaning of the Zone as a marker of global civilizational vulnerability.
Special attention is given to the Red Forest and other natural elements, which act as both witnesses and participants in events, showing that nature can simultaneously be a victim and an agent of history. The return of storks after the 2022 hostilities is interpreted as a sign of life’s renewal and the restoration of natural harmony. Plokhii’s book allows for the comprehension of Chornobyl as a symbol in which past and present are interwoven. The defense of the territory and the resilience of its people demonstrate that Chornobyl is not only a space of trauma but also a symbol of resistance, responsibility, and the preservation of national identity.