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The accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was one of the biggest technological disasters of the twentieth century with severe consequences known throughout Russia and the entire world that are to this day making their harsh repercussions felt in nature and in people, Mr Putin said at the ceremony awarding state decorations at the Kremlin.

Addressing the recipients of the decorations, the President said that they courageously fought this disaster in exceptionally difficult circumstances and at great risk to their own lives.

Mr Putin stressed that the selflessness and immense sense of responsibility of the participants in the Cleanup Operation saved a great number of human lives.