When the site of the Chernobyl disaster was occupied by Russian troops during their invasion of Ukraine, fears of further contamination put the safety of nuclear power in the spotlight once again.

In his latest book, Atoms and Ashes: From Bikini Atoll to Fukushima, the Ukrainian historian Serhii Plokhy looks at the history of nuclear disasters and asks whether there are better ways to tackle climate change than nuclear power.

He speaks to Alix Kroeger about his book and the dangers of a lack of transparency around nuclear power, plus how academics in Ukraine asked him to keep their records safe before the invasion, and how Russia underestimated Ukrainians’ resolve.

Podcast listeners can subscribe to the New Statesman for just £1 a week for 12 weeks using our special offer. Just visit newstatesman.com/podcastoffer.

Further reading:

Philippa Nuttall on the risks of nuclear power in an increasingly destabilised world

How Vladimir Putin weaponised the environment in Ukraine

Serhii Plokhy: it’s impossible for states to be both democratic and pro-Russian

Adam Tooze on whether Ukraine needs a Marshall Plan

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