Chernobyl: From Inception to Imminent Crisis

Viktor Brukhanov was tasked with building a nuclear power station in western Ukraine.
February 20, 1970: Soviet authorities named the power plant after the regional capital, Chernobyl.
Brukhanov was appointed director of the Chernobyl Atomic Energy Station
- appointed due to his loyalty, rather than technical expertise.
USSR aimed to expand nuclear construction to meet its electricity needs and catch up with the West.
Created a temporary village, called Lesnoy, to house workers, with wooden huts and basic amenities.
- The first apartments and dormitories were completed in 1972.
Brukhanov faced an impossible timetable set by Moscow and Kiev
build a town, called Pripyat, to house future plant staff
- town is separated from the plant with a “sanitary zone” where building was prohibited
The quality of workmanship was so poor that an extra stage called "pre-installation overhaul" was required.
Brukhanov struggled with labor disputes, infighting, and reprimands from Communist Party bosses.
Demands for new amenities in Pripyat, such as a bakery, hospital, and shopping center, made it harder to construct the reactor

In July 1972, Brukhanov attempted to resign but was ordered to continue by his supervisor.

Construction workers poured the first cubic meter of concrete at Chernobyl in August 1972.

Chernobyl became a prized location for nuclear specialists, many from MEPhI (Moscow Engineering and Physics Institute).
- The USSR lacked simulators, making Chernobyl engineers' first practical experience.

Pripyat existed inside an economic bubble with better-stocked food stores compared to Kiev, supplied with Austrian dining sets and French perfume.
Pripyat was also considered a very nice town
- had a movie theater, music school, beauty parlor, and yacht club

Viktor was invited to Moscow by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union as a sign of approval

Gorbachev became new general secretary March 1985.
Gorbachev announced plans for restructuring the economy (Perestroika). At the Party Congress in March 1986, and spoke of the need for open government (Glasnost).

Brukhanov had to cut corners to meet goals and budget
- already had very limited funding, which made him cut corners, such as using improper, non-fireproof cables.
- had to build an Olympic-length swimming pool because USSR Energy secretary had demanded it
A safety test on the unit turbines was delayed to meet deadlines

in 1985
a network of KGB and informants at the plant reported a series of alarming building faults.