Alexander Akimov and Chernobyl

When we talk about the events that have changed the world, we always remember the Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion. It is the worst human-induced accident that the Earth has ever seen, to say the least of it. Hundreds of people died directly after the explosion, thousands have been injured, and millions suffer long-term health problems.

This should come as no surprise that the reasons for the explosion are being thoroughly investigated. Unfortunately, the first five years after the accident, the details were kept secret, but now the scientists and activists have the access to archives.

Reasons for Chernobyl Disaster

There are many theories about the reasons for the nuclear plant explosion, but they all have the same common denominator: the human element. People that are usually blamed for the explosion are the plant employees who worked at the night of the explosion: Aleksandr Akimov, the supervisor of the shift; Leonid Toptunov, the senior reactor control chief engineer; and Anatoly Dyatlov, deputy chief engineer of the power plant.

In this article, we will tell you about the supervisor of the shift, Aleksandr Akimov, and his role in the accident.

Alexander Akimov Chernobyl

Those who take the responsible and leading posts are usually the ones to blame for the failures. It is the same in the case of the Chernobyl disaster. Alexander Akimov was the head of the night shift that worked at reactor number 4 on the night of the accident.

That night was important because the system tests were taking place. When Alexander has taken his duties, the reactor was in the state of preparation for the shutdown of the power. The goal was to test the system for preventive maintenance in case of a real power shutdown. Mr. Alexander was the one who managed the block control panel of the reactor in Chernobyl.

Role of Akimov in Chernobyl

As we know from the official data, Akimov is wrongfully accused of being responsible for the accident. He was the one who refused to continue with the test. The reason was the reactor’s unstable condition due to low electrical network power.  However, the deputy chief engineer of the power plant Anatoly Dyatlov ordered to proceed with the tests. He wanted a promotion which was promised to him in case of a successful test.

Akimov in Chernobyl

Aleksandr Akimov and Leonid Toptunov did their best at saving the situation. When the reactor has been put into a “poisoned” condition, they tried to raise the power at whatever the cost. However, they didn’t know about the faults that had been made during the construction of the reactor.

When the situation got out of control, the AZ-5 button was pressed. It was supposed to shut down the reactor, but the result turned out to be the exact opposite. The explosion occurred.

After the Explosion

Alexander Akimov worked with other employers in the reactor after the explosion. They pumped water into the reactor core, which was the right thing to do at the moment but the wrong thing to do in a long run.

He was exposed to a lethal dose of radiation and died two weeks after the explosion. He was 33 at that time. Before he was gone, he told about the test proceedings. His famous quote “We did everything correctly” has been used in the Chernobyl series by HBO.

Akimov Chernobyl HBO Actor

Sam Troughton, an English actor, performed the role of Chernobyl supervisor of the shift in the Chernobyl series by HBO in 2019. This actor is also famous for his acts in the BBC Robin Hood series.

Alexander Akimov is the one who had control over reactor number 4 at the night of the explosion, but whether he is the one to be held responsible remains an open question.