The 28th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition has started its way to the Vernadsky Research Base (Akademic Vernadsky station) from Kyiv. The team includes 14 participants: nine scientists, a doctor, a cook, a system administrator, a system mechanic and an engineer. The participants of the expedition will work at the Akademik Vernadsky station for one year. Geophysicist Bohdan Havryliuk was appointed as the head of the team. He is going to spend the tenth winter in the Antarctic – a record for Ukrainian Antarctic expeditions.
Evgen Dykyi, director of the National Antarctic Science Centre has emphasized the international importance of activities Ukrainian scientists are performing in Antarctica. These include a number of the longest weather observations in the Antarctic, studies of climate change, space weather, the Earth’s magnetic field, and the ozone hole to name a few. Dr Dykiy reiterated that the Ukrainian expedition contributes to advancements in the global science of the 21st century.