EPISODE · May 9, 2022 · 9 MIN
Soviet nuclear missile alert
from Witness History · host BBC World Service
In 1983, during a tense period of the Cold War, Soviet nuclear officials received a computer warning suggesting that the United States had fired five nuclear missiles towards Moscow. Fortunately, the officer on duty, Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov, realised the warning was a false alarm and advised his commanders against a retaliatory strike against America. Alex Last hears his story, as told in 2008 to the BBC's Jonathan Charles. Stanislav Petrov died in 2017.PHOTO: Stanislav Petrov pictured in 2004 (Getty Images)
What this episode covers
In 1983, during a tense period of the Cold War, Soviet nuclear officials received a computer warning suggesting that the United States had fired five nuclear missiles towards Moscow. Fortunately, the officer on duty, Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov, realised the warning was a false alarm and advised his commanders against a retaliatory strike against America. Alex Last hears his story, as told in 2008 to the BBC's Jonathan Charles. Stanislav Petrov died in 2017.PHOTO: Stanislav Petrov pictured in 2004 (Getty Images)
NOW PLAYING
Soviet nuclear missile alert
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Dec 24, 2024 ·48m
Nov 16, 2024 ·23m
Oct 27, 2024 ·41m
Oct 27, 2024 ·26m
Oct 27, 2024 ·37m
Oct 27, 2024 ·35m