Stanislav Petrov
The son of a Soviet army Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov averted nuclear war in 1983, confirmed the death of the father. This was reported on the website of the TV channel “Star”.
“Yes, I confirm, he died in may,” — said Dmitry Petrov.
About the death of 77-year-old Petrova, one of the protagonists of the cold war, wrote on 14 September, the German newspaper WAZ, September 18 — The New York Times and British broadcasting Corporation “bi-Bi-si”. It was noted that the man died may 19 at his home in the Moscow suburb Fryazino, where he lived alone. The reason is stagnant (hypostatic) pneumonia.
“Bi-bi-si” indicates that it became known to the media due to calling German Director Carl Schumacher, who wanted to congratulate the Soviet officers with the birthday of September 7th. Then Dmitry Petrov told him about his father’s death. Then Schumacher posted information on the Internet, and it drew the attention of the press.
Stanislav Petrov was born 7 September 1939 near Vladivostok. In 1972 he graduated from the Kiev higher engineering Radiotechnical school of air defense and arrived for duty in the part of Serpukhov-15, Moscow oblast. In 1983, the Colonel was responsible for the proper functioning of the satellites that were included in the system of missile warning. In Serpukhov-15, he worked as chief analyst. On the night of September 26, 1983, Petrov was the duty officer, please, whose duties included the control over the information coming from the system “Oko” — the latest satellite system detect launches of U.S. Intercontinental ballistic missiles. Then she fixed the start-up.
In case of receipt of such information the duty was to inform about a missile attack the top management, which decided on a retaliatory strike. Peter, however, did not believe the system. He later told me that was guided by the principle of “a computer by definition is a fool.” From his point of view, the USA could attack the USSR, launch a rocket with only one base, and other signals starts were reported. Petrov’s decision proved correct. In fact, the sensor of the satellite, included in the “Eye”, taken for the launch of solar “flare” is a reflection of sunlight by high-altitude clouds.
In 2014, he published devoted to Petrov film directed by Danish Director Peter Anthony “the Man who saved the world”. The Colonel plays there himself. Role in the film also played Natalia Vdovin, Sergey Shnyrev, Kevin costner, Robert De Niro, Matt Damon, Ashton Kutcher.