Moscow 27 Years Ago - September 26, 1983 It was an ordinary autumn day in Moscow.
Lieutenant Stanislav Petrov had arrived early as always.
This secret bunker was a control center for intercontinental nuclear missiles in case of a possible war with the US.
Stanislav Petrov looked at his pocket watch. Then he checked his pocket for unfiltered, cheap and poorly wrapped Soviet cigarettes.
Just then a voice shattered the silence of the bunker
He remembered the siren from trainings. The worst enemy of the country, namely the United States should have initiated nuclear war.
Stanislav Petrov was shocked with a voice that he would never wanted to hear.
At least he was hoping he would not hear in his shift.
But that moment came. He checked the radar data. Radar unfortunately confirmed the incident.
The US must have launched the first nuclear missile. That has the only explanation: nuclear war has begun.
In this case, the protocol was clear. Without waiting a second counterattack must be initiated.
ut Stanislav Petrov was "frozen".
"The sirens were off. But I could not move. I was staring at the LAUNCH sign in front of the red screen"
A second siren went off after a minute. Then the third and fourth sirens were heard.
It had only one meaning. The US must have launched four missiles by now.
Stanislav Petrov did not retaliate, although the procedure was clear.
It seemed like a sound from his heart stopped him.
After waiting a few more seconds Stanislav Petrol lifted the phone and called the Army HQ.
He came up with the sentence that save the world...
"There is fault in missile radar system. Ignore them"
When he put the headset back, he realized the responsibility he undertook.
If he was wrong, his motherland was going to be demolished within minutes.
But he was also aware that, if he retaliated, entire planet would be sliced off the life.
Minutes passed. From the moment the first siren went off 24 minutes has passed, each of which seemed like a year to Stanislav Petrov.
He was still alive. It had only one meaning.
If USA had really launched the missiles, Moscow would already been wiped off of the maps.
Stanislav Petrov went out.
It was an ordinary autumn day in Moscow.
Stanislav took a deep breath and took out his unfiltered, cheap and poorly wrapped Soviet cigarettes. In his first try he lighted his cigarette despite the mild wind.
a funny incident took place a few days after the incident.
Stanislav Petrov received formal reprimand letter by chief of Army.
Condemnation was not related to this event, it was due to an error in the log book.
Exactly 10 years later, after the Soviet collapse, the incident was reflected in the mainstream media
This hero received international awards from the multiple countries in the world countries.
But he did not consider himself a hero.
He said, "It was my duty. But still, you're very lucky because I was on duty that day."
Stanislav Petrov, the Man Saved the World by not believing in the data the radar was shoving,
Passed away 5 month ago.
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