the kostroma plant remains a shell. yet a nearby sign points to a building intended to serve as the plant's headquarters. and it is still in use. but the people here are under instructions from the russian authorities not to talk to our reporters. these workers' quarters were a gift from the former east german government in 1978. today, some of the masons, painters, the workers, and crane operators who came to work at the plant years ago still live here with their falies. it is a hard life. >> there is only cold water. we don't have hot water. that is something we have never had. >> the buildings are contaminated with asbestos and mold. no 1 enjoys living here, but they have little choice. like many russians, they cannot afford to move. finding a new place to live would require finding a new job. because it is almost 50. she said she used to earn good money at the plant, but everything changed after chernobyl. >> we were promised houses and another development. we had hoped that we could live well there, but after chern