S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 points to the grim history behind CNPP’s Atomic Dove

The administrative building once served as the main entrance to the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant and concealed a crisis headquarters beneath it.

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S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 points to the grim history behind CNPP's Atomic Dove

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is turning its attention to one of the CNPP’s strangest landmarks: a huge metal bas-relief known as the Atomic Dove. GSC Game World shared the location and its history in a July 15 Steam post.

The sculpture sits atop the administrative building at the plant. Despite its name, it does not look especially dove-like. Its original purpose was to represent the peaceful atom, a fitting symbol for a building that once welcomed personnel, handled entry permits, and served as the route deeper into the station.

The CNPP administrative building and Atomic Dove bas-relief in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2

That role changed after the fire at the plant’s fourth reactor block. Beneath the administrative building was a heavily protected bunker containing a crisis headquarters. People inside were left trying to understand the disaster and work out how to respond.

Aerial view of the CNPP administrative building in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2

In the game’s version of the Zone, the building no longer resembles a proud entrance to a scientific future. Rusting machinery sits outside, trees press through the abandoned grounds, and the damaged structure has become another dangerous reminder of what happened at CNPP.

The post also points toward S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope, framing the Atomic Dove as more than a piece of scenery. The building marks the route toward the heart of the station, which makes its ruined state feel even more ominous for anyone heading into that part of the Zone.

The abandoned CNPP grounds and Atomic Dove landmark in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2

If the Atomic Dove is still hanging above the building when players reach it, the location may offer one of those quiet details that gives the Zone its weight. Tell us what you think in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is the unforgiving FPS survival adventure in a dark science-fiction open world. Scavenge for gear and resources, hunt for wonders, make hard decisions to survive and pave the path through the Chornobyl Anomalous Zone.

Genre: Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Modes: Single player
Release: 2024-11-20
Publisher: GSC Game World
Age Rating: USK 18 / GRAC 19+ / ACB MA 15+ / CLASS_IND 16 / PEGI 18 / ESRB M
IGDB Rating: 81.3/100