This text describes the story of three individuals—Alexei Ananenko, Valeri Bespalov, and Boris Baranov—who played a critical role in preventing a further disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant after the catastrophic accident on April 25, 1986. The narrative recounts their entry into an area of intense radiation to open valves, releasing pressure and averting a potential steam explosion. The account dispels the myth that they sacrificed themselves knowingly, revealing that they survived the mission, although they suffered severe radiation exposure. Despite the challenges, two of the three individuals are still alive today, while one passed away in 2005.
1. The text describes a historical event where three men - Alexei Ananenko, Valeri Bespalov, and Boris Baranov - entered an area of maximum radiation in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exactly ten days after the accident.
2. These men were referred to as Chernobyl's heroes, although they were initially considered as potential victims due to the high levels of radiation.
3. The men were chosen to enter the reactor area because they knew the layout of the plant and how to reach the valves that had to be manipulated to release water pressure.
4. The nuclear power plant had defects in its construction and lacked security measures.
5. The reactor core was completely melted and had made a paste known as "corium", which was extremely hot and emitted a deadly form of radiation.
6. If the reactor core had come into contact with the water accumulating under pressure, it could have caused a steam explosion.
7. The men were able to open the valves and leave the reactor area, but they received tremendous doses of radiation.
8. Despite the high radiation exposure, all three men survived and are still alive today.
9. After the accident, there was a widespread blackout and disorderly evacuation, with many people affected by the fallout.
10. The men's story is told in the HBO series about Chernobyl.
11. The men continued to work at the nuclear power plant despite the dangers and the poor working conditions.
12. The men's exposure to radiation caused their skin to darken and they noticed a metallic taste in their mouths.
13. The men were hospitalized after exposure to radiation, and they had to undergo multiple showers to remove the radiation from their bodies.
14. The men were decorated by their country for their heroism.
15. The men's story is an example of the human spirit's resilience in the face of extreme adversity.