The story of Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov eloquently testifies to how Russia actually treats its real heroes. If not for this man, most likely none of us would be alive. At the height of the Cold War, he averted a nuclear holocaust after a US missile warning system went off falsely. However, he himself claims that it was a "working episode".
On September 26, 1983, SA lieutenant colonel Stanislav Petrov was supposed to report the start of a US nuclear attack, which would lead to a retaliatory strike by the USSR.
war between the US and the USSR. But Petrov did not do this, and therefore we remained alive and unharmed. While Petrov was on duty at the Serpukhov-15 facility, the computer signaled the launch of a US ballistic missile. The Cold War was then at its peak. “The car proves that the reliability is the highest, the siren screams like crazy. On top of the wall are big red letters "Start". So the rocket definitely went...", - recalled Petrov, who had only 15 minutes to make a decision. “If I confirm this attack, many people will die. Our troops will be put on full alert. Ballistic missiles with 11,000 warheads. What is there compared to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Kids toys!"
During a call to management, he denied the reliability of the indicators. “I knew perfectly well that no one would correct me. Nobody dares. They will simply agree with me, because it is much easier to agree, I am fully responsible for everything.
At that moment, the scoreboard showed the second rocket launch. Then three more in turn. Petrov still did not confirm the existence of a threat. “What if I'm wrong? Millions of people will die! Maybe you should change your mind and follow the protocol?” He remembered that in a real attack, the Americans would launch missiles from several bases at once.
As a result, it turned out that the sensors took the sun's rays for rockets. “Damn it, my decision turned out to be the only correct one!” So, thanks to his composure, Petrov saved the world from a nuclear war.
“ Co-workers come up: “Well, Petrov, drill a hole for the order on your tunic!” But instead of praise, he received a reprimand from his superiors for an unfilled combat log. "It's hard to believe! He pulverized me! Because of something as small as a magazine! He understood this very well. And don't be ashamed of this general!"
A year later, Petrov retired. In 2006, he received the World Citizens Association Award. The presentation took place at the UN Headquarters.
In 2017, Stanislav Petrov died quietly at his home in Fryazino, Moscow Region. His death was not known until a few months later. "I'm not a hero, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time", - the hero Stanislav Petrov liked to repeat.