How Ukraine got the Antarctic station “Akademik Vernadskyi”: 5 interesting facts
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28 years ago, Great Britain transferred the Antarctic station “Akademik Vernadskyi” to Ukraine. At that time it was called “Faraday”. The National Antarctic Science Center recalled this day and told interesting facts related to the event. Negotiations on the transfer of the station lasted for more than two years. As the polar explorers noted, in 1993 the Ukrainian embassy received a letter from the British Foreign Ministry about the intention to sell Faraday. Faraday station in 1996. Photo: National Antarctic Science Center Scientist Serhiy Komisarenko began to inquire in British government circles about the terms of the purchase. He also wrote about such an opportunity to the President of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Academy of Sciences. “Then there were many discussions about the conditions of transferring the station, several delegations came to Ukraine to study our scientific potential. In the end, the decision was made in favor of Ukraine and a memorandum was signed,” the polar explorers noted. Britain transferred the station to Ukraine for free As the National Antarctic Center emphasizes, for Britain it was not the money for the sale of the station, but the continuation of continuous research and measurements there that was fundamental. Since Ukraine did not have sufficient funding, our diplomats worked for a long time to conclude an agreement on obtaining Faraday. “Convinced that we will be able to provide them at a high level, the British gave us the station for free,” the scientists added. Ukraine received the station with everything that was inside. The previous owners left both furniture and food supplies on the station, as well as expensive scientific equipment. Many of the things were used for quite a long time. Some – until now. In particular, the diesel generators installed in the 1980s were replaced only last year. Signing the agreement on receiving the station. Photo: National Antarctic Science Center Great Britain helped Ukraine to become a member of SCAR Great Britain, during the transfer of the station to Ukraine, assessed the scientific potential of our country, therefore initiated and supported the country’s admission to the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR). It is the main international organization responsible for scientific research in Antarctica. Ukrainian and British colleagues. Photo: National Antarctic Scientific Center No support from Russia Ukrainian scientists and technicians took an active part in the polar programs of the USSR. Therefore, after gaining independence, they turned to their colleagues from Russia with a request to receive at least one station. However, even then they categorically refused. The Russian Federation retained all 12 Antarctic stations of the former USSR, of which only 6 are currently operational. The rest are preserved and gradually falling apart. “But all this turned out to be only for the better: instead we got a really high-quality and reliable British station,” the polar explorers added. We will remind you that Ukraine announced a competitive selection of participants for the 29th Antarctic expedition. Read also: Police penguins came to the “Akademik Vernadskyi” station. PHOTO
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