“Today marks the fourteenth anniversary of the Chernobyl tragedy, which continues to cast an ominous shadow over the destinies of millions of Russians as the years go by. We owe the dead and our suffering homeland a great debt. It is the sacred duty of the nation to ensure safety from radiation and prevent future disasters like Chernobyl.
“With the rest of Russia, I bow before the memory of the disaster’s victims and express my sincere condolences to their loved ones. I share your grief from the bottom of my heart.”
Vladimir PUTIN