Soviet/Russian Secrecy Rules. Only ones conducting unlawful Acts love secrecy…

Some questions still bother me. Johnny Carson talked about it on his late night talk show. This and the handling of the Russian Sub disaster makes me wonder.

The Soviet government did not immediately inform Kyiv about the Chernobyl disaster for a complex set of reasons, primarily stemming from a culture of secrecy, a desire to control information, and an initial underestimation of the catastrophe’s scale. Here’s a breakdown:

• Secrecy and Control: The Soviet system was highly centralized and prioritized state control over information. There was a strong tendency to downplay negative news and maintain an image of strength and order. News of a major nuclear accident would have been a significant blow to this image.  
• Initial Underestimation: In the immediate aftermath of the explosion on April 26, 1986, there was confusion and denial among plant officials and even some within the government about the true extent of the damage and the radiation release. Some engineers initially insisted the reactor was intact.  
• Time to Assess: It took time for accurate information to filter up the chain of command. Local officials likely hesitated to report the full gravity of the situation to their superiors.
• Fear of Panic: There was a concern that immediate public disclosure of a nuclear accident could lead to widespread panic and social unrest. The government likely wanted to assess the situation and devise a response before informing the public.
• Prioritizing Containment: The initial focus was on containing the immediate emergency – fighting the fires and attempting to stabilize the reactor. Informing the public, especially those further away like in Kyiv (approximately 130 km south of Chernobyl), was likely seen as a secondary concern in the very first hours.
• International Implications: The Soviet Union was also likely concerned about the international repercussions of admitting to a major nuclear accident. They initially kept the information contained within the country. It wasn’t until radiation levels were detected in Sweden on April 28th that the Kremlin acknowledged the accident.

Timeline of Key Events:

• April 26, 1:23 AM: The Chernobyl reactor explodes.
• April 26, Morning: Local authorities begin to understand the severity, but information to Kyiv is delayed and likely downplayed. Evacuation of Pripyat, the city closest to the plant (3 km away), begins around 36 hours later on April 27th.
• April 27: The government begins the evacuation of Pripyat. Residents are told it’s temporary.
• April 28: Sweden detects high radiation levels, prompting international pressure on the Soviet Union to disclose information. The Kremlin finally announces the accident.  
• Early May: The scale of the disaster becomes clearer, and further evacuations are ordered, expanding the exclusion zone.

Therefore, the 36-hour delay in informing Kyiv (and the broader public and international community) about the Chernobyl meltdown was a consequence of a deeply ingrained culture of secrecy, an initial underestimation of the disaster, a desire to maintain control, and a fear of the repercussions of admitting to such a catastrophic event.   Sources and related content

Soviet Union | History, Leaders, Flag, Map, & Anthem | Britannica

www.britannica.com

Chernobyl Timeline: How a Nuclear Accident Escalated to a Historic Disaster – History.com

www.history.com

CHERNOBYL: THE REST OF THE STORY – OLLI – University of Denver

olli.du.edu

Hiding Truth at All Costs: Revisiting the Chernobyl Disaster

natoassociation.ca

At the time of the Chernobyl disaster in April 1986, the leader of the Soviet Union was Mikhail Gorbachev. He held the position of General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.  

Here are some key points to remember about his role:

• Mikhail Gorbachev:
  • He was a key figure in the later years of the Soviet Union.  
  • His policies of “glasnost” (openness) and “perestroika” (restructuring) had a significant impact on the Soviet Union.  
  • The Chernobyl disaster presented a major challenge to his leadership and his policies.
  • The way the Soviet government handled the Chernobyl disaster, with its initial secrecy, contributed to the decline of the soviet unions credibility.

Sources and related content

Chernobyl Accident 1986 – World Nuclear Association

world-nuclear.org

Mikhail Gorbachev – Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Perestroika: Glasnost, Definition & Soviet Union | HISTORY

www.history.com

There was significant secrecy surrounding Soviet (and later Russian) submarine incidents. The closed nature of the Soviet system, combined with the sensitive military nature of submarines (especially nuclear-powered ones), often led to delayed, incomplete, or entirely absent public announcements about accidents.

Here are a few notable examples where secrecy played a significant role:

• The Loss of K-129 (1968): This Soviet diesel-electric submarine sank in the Pacific Ocean. The Soviets never fully explained its loss, leading to various theories. The US, through the highly secret “Project Azorian,” attempted to recover the submarine to gain intelligence. The details of this operation and what was recovered remained classified for decades.
• The K-19 Accidents (Multiple): This nuclear-powered submarine was plagued by accidents, including a major reactor malfunction in 1961 that nearly caused a nuclear meltdown. The details of these incidents were often shrouded in secrecy, and the crew faced long-term health consequences that were not openly acknowledged for many years. The submarine earned the grim nickname “Hiroshima.”
• The Loss of K-8 (1970): This nuclear submarine sank in the Bay of Biscay after a fire. While the Soviets did acknowledge the loss, the details and the full impact were not immediately transparent.
• The Loss of K-278 Komsomolets (1989): This advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine sank in the Norwegian Sea after a fire. The details of the accident and the survival attempts of the crew were initially limited.
• The Kursk Disaster (2000): This more recent tragedy, where a Russian nuclear submarine sank in the Barents Sea, also saw initial delays and conflicting information from the Russian authorities, drawing criticism both domestically and internationally.

Reasons for the Secrecy:

• Military Sensitivity: Submarines, especially nuclear ones, are key military assets. Accidents could reveal vulnerabilities in their design, technology, or operational procedures, which the Soviet/Russian government wanted to keep secret from potential adversaries.
• Preventing Panic: Similar to the Chernobyl situation, there was a concern that public knowledge of nuclear accidents involving submarines could cause fear and anxiety.
• Maintaining National Image: Accidents, particularly catastrophic ones, could damage the image of a powerful and technologically advanced nation.
• Bureaucratic Inertia: The centralized and often rigid Soviet system could be slow to disseminate information, especially negative news. There might have been delays in reporting up the chain of command and obtaining authorization for public statements.

Over time, and especially after the collapse of the Soviet Union, there has been more openness about some of these incidents. However, a degree of secrecy still often surrounds submarine operations and accidents due to national security concerns.