Sat Sep 21 11:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Kharkiv Lab Keeps Ukraine’s Time Ticking Amidst War
**KHARKIV, UKRAINE** – In the heart of a city under relentless bombardment, a small laboratory within the Institute of Metrology in Kharkiv plays a vital role in keeping Ukraine’s time, and by extension, a crucial part of the world’s time.
For six years, Vladimir Soldatov has been the custodian of Ukraine’s time, overseeing a lab with clocks and equipment that generate, count, and distribute the country’s seconds. Since Russia’s invasion, the lab has faced numerous challenges, most notably a blast in February 2022 that shattered its windows and damaged instruments. Despite the ongoing threat, Soldatov and his colleagues continue to maintain the lab’s crucial function.
Soldatov and his lab are part of a global network of timekeepers who ensure accuracy in timekeeping across the world. Using atomic clocks, which count the oscillations of energy waves, they strive for near-unfathomable precision, down to trillionths of a second. Their work is crucial for numerous functions including power grids, telecommunications networks, and even the internet.
The war has brought unprecedented challenges to the lab. The blast damaged equipment, necessitating repairs and relocating instruments to a basement for safety. Power outages forced temporary shutdowns, causing temporary deviations in Ukraine’s time. The lab’s reliance on electricity poses a constant challenge, with Soldatov even having to reduce the number of backup clocks due to energy constraints.
Tragically, Soldatov’s colleague, Demian Mykolayovych Kravchenko, was killed by a cluster bomb while working at the institute. This loss highlights the personal toll the war has taken on those maintaining Ukraine’s time.
Despite the immense challenges, the lab continues to function, providing time to Ukraine and the world. Soldatov, though deeply affected by the war, remains committed to his duty. He believes that the lab’s destruction would have significant consequences, particularly on the country’s internet infrastructure and communication systems.
However, he emphasizes that the system itself is resilient, relying on a distributed network of clocks worldwide. Even if Kharkiv’s lab were destroyed, Ukraine would rely on other time sources, including GPS and backup systems in Kyiv.
Soldatov’s dedication to maintaining Ukraine’s time is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of conflict. He sees his work as essential to Ukraine’s technological advancement, even as he grapples with the uncertainty and challenges of the war. His story is a powerful reminder of the unsung heroes who contribute to the smooth functioning of our world, even in the midst of crisis.
First Piper 