Poliske, Former urban settlement in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine
Poliske is an urban settlement located near the Uzh River within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in Kyiv Oblast. The area continues to be affected by radiation from the 1986 nuclear disaster.
Originally named Khabnoye, the settlement was taken over by the Polish Horwatt family in 1850 and remained under their management until 1918. After this period, the place developed into a growing regional center.
The settlement became a hub for textile production in the 1800s, drawing skilled Jewish craftspeople who established workshops and businesses here. This community shaped daily life and commerce for more than a century.
The place is not accessible to visitors due to radiation concerns and remains off-limits to the general public. Information about the area comes through specialized tour operators who provide safe guided visits to other parts of the exclusion zone.
The place inspired video game developers to create a fictional zone based on its appearance and atmosphere in a popular 2007 game. This digital interpretation introduced the location to audiences worldwide who might never visit in person.
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