30th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition Returns to Kyiv

The 30th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition has returned to Kyiv, marking the end of its vital mission in Antarctica. This information was shared through a statement published on the official Facebook page of the National Antarctic Scientific Center.

The journey back from Antarctica took the team over a week. Initially, the expedition was transported by a vessel named 'Noosphere' to the Chilean port of Punta Arenas. From there, the expedition members flew to Warsaw and then took a bus back to Ukraine.

Alexander Poluden, the head of the 30th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition, remarked, 'The team has fully accomplished its mission in Antarctica. We ensured the continuous operation of the station, conducted research, and represented Ukraine in the most remote corner of the world.'

The expedition comprised 13 polar explorers, including eight scientists, a doctor, a cook, a systems administrator, a diesel mechanic, and an engineer. Each member played a crucial role in facilitating successful scientific research and ensuring the station's operations.

The scientists involved in the expedition worked across several fields, including geophysics, meteorology, and biology. They conducted ongoing observations that allow for the tracking of climate changes, the state of the ozone hole, the dynamics of Earth's magnetic field, global seismic activity, space weather, and the response of living organisms to warming in Antarctica.

Some research was conducted in collaboration with foreign colleagues who were hosted at the station. Notably, the First Mexican Antarctic Expedition took place at the 'Vernadsky' station, marking a significant event for international scientific cooperation.

Along with the main team, members of the seasonal squad who worked at the 'Akademik Vernadsky' and 'Noosphere' stations during the Antarctic summer also returned. Their work focused on two primary areas: technical and research. The engineering group undertook urgent upgrades to the station, which included updating equipment and infrastructure.

The scientists in the seasonal squad engaged in collecting biological and geological samples, setting up new equipment, and establishing monitoring stations in new locations. This work is critically important for understanding the Antarctic ecosystem and its changes due to global warming.

It is noteworthy that the 31st Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition will be led for the first time in Ukraine's history by a woman, meteorologist Anzhelika Hanchuk, highlighting the growing role of women in scientific research and expeditions.

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