Today, March 11th, the 29th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition departed from Kyiv to the Vernadsky Research Base, as reported by the National Antarctic Center.

According to the announcement, the expedition members face a long journey: by bus to Poland, by plane to Chile, and from the port of Punta Arenas by the icebreaker "Noosphere" to Antarctica.

This team is set to replace the wintering personnel from the 28th UAE, who have been stationed there for almost a year.

"This is already the third rotation of winterers that we are conducting during the full-scale war. Finding professionals for annual expeditions is increasingly challenging, as many polar explorers or ideal candidates are on the front lines. We have had several cases where potential winterers became servicemen during the selection process. But despite all the difficulties, we cannot stop the Antarctic program," said Eugene Diky, the director of the NAC.

The 29th UAE consists of 14 participants, including 9 scientists (3 biologists, meteorologists, and geophysicists each) selected through an open competition, and 5 members of the support team (a doctor, cook, system administrator, system mechanic, and diesel-electrician).

For the first time in the last 27 years, there will be 4 women working in the expedition (previously, there were as many female polar explorers only in the second UAE of 1997-1998). It is notable that one of the participants, geophysicist Anna Soina, is embarking on her second wintering.

The team consists mostly of newcomers (ten), but they will be led by one of Ukraine's most experienced polar explorers, geophysicist Yuriy Otruba. This will be his eighth wintering.

Throughout the year, the 29th UAE will conduct research in three main areas: biology, geophysics, meteorology, and will also ensure the station's operation.

The Vernadsky Research Base is the only Ukrainian Antarctic station located on Marina Point, Galindez Island. It operates continuously and serves as a meteorological and geophysical observatory. Established in 1947 as the British "Faraday" station, in February 1996, it was transferred to Ukraine by Great Britain. At that time, a postal communication point was opened at the station, where a special postal stamp with the translated date Vernadsky Research Base is used.