Background
The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was a plant built within the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic of the Soviet Union. (St. Peterburg Times, New York Times, Shabad) The project being headed by Viktor Bryukhanov,(Babel, Pyvovarov, Kobernyk Construction of the first reactor for the Chernobyl NPP was on March 1st, 1970, and wouldn’t be completed and commissioned until September 26th, 1977.(IAEA, PRIS) The completion of the second reactor was in 1978,(IAEA, PRIS) third in 1981,(IAEA, PRIS) and fourth in 1983.(IAEA, PRIS) Prior to any meltdowns taking place, high soviet officials already believed there were problems with the Chernobyl NPP, with Yuri Andropov, then Chairman of the KGB, stating in a report, “Serious flaws in the construction might lead to failures and accidents,” which also included at least 170 suffering work related injuries as of 1978.(KGB, Andropov, 1979)
Quote
Sufficient attention is not being paid by the management of the Directorate to basic economy on which the operation of which the quality of construction depends in many respects. The concrete plant is operating irregularly and the quality of its output is poor. Cracks were made in the concrete when pouring especially heavy concrete, which led to the formation of pits and stratification of the foundation. The approach routes to the Chernobyl Atomic Power Station are in a disastrous condition.(KGB, Andropov, 1979)
Andropov would also give examples of already existing accidents, which included at least 170 suffering work related injuries as of 1978.(KGB, Andropov, 1979)
Quote
One hundred and seventy people received work-related injuries during three quarters of 1978 as a result of insufficient monitoring of the condition of the safety equipment and the loss of working time was 3,366 man-days.(KGB, Andropov, 1979)
Previous accidents
1982 reactor #1
On September 9th, 1982, the first reactor of the ChNPP would have an accident during one of its trial runs, causing parts of the reactor to break given 20% more power for the trial.(Kiev Governance of KGB)
Quote
In connection with the planned overhaul of the 1st fuel unit of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which is scheduled to be completed on 13 September, 1982, a trial run of the reactor was performed on 9 September 1982. When its power was increased to 20%, there was a break in one of the 1640 pressure channels/loaded fuel assemblies. At the same time, the column where the fuel assemblies are located broke. In addition, the graphite stack became partially wet.(Kiev Governance of KGB)
1984 reactor #3 and #4
On March 1st, 1984, a report was sent to the KGB Chief of the Ukrainian SSR in Kiev, M. Z. Banduristiy, detailing an emergency situation at the third and fourth reactors of the Chernobyl NPP.(Confidential USSR Official)
Quote
About the emergency situation at the 3rd and 4th energy block of the Chernobyl atomic energy station.
According to available intelligence information obtained from agent “Yuri,” resident “Azis,” trusted individual “F.V.I.,” and what is officially available, it has become known that at the vertical markers for 35.5, 39.0, and 43.0 meters of the Chernobyl atomic energy station’s third block, load-bearing and non-load-bearing elements (wall panels) are being damaged in the premises of the reactor area, specifically fractures in the concrete slabs, the removal of spar pieces and concrete slabs, and the removal of reinforced concrete and ceramic curtain panels.(Confidential USSR Official)
Chernobyl disaster
1986
Post-Chernobyl disaster
Bryukhanov after the disaster
Due to the mishandling of the Chernobyl NPP, Bryukhanov was sentenced to ten years in prison for “Violation of safety rules in explosive industries and enterprises,” but would be released five years early in 1991, and would go on to live in Kiev from 1992 until his death on October 12th, 2021 at 85 years old.(Ukrainska Pravda) (Washington Post, Langer)