Anatoly Alexandrov

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For the composer, see Anatoly Nikolayevich Alexandrov.

Anatoly Petrovich Alexandrov (Russian: Анатолий Петрович Александров) (31.01.1903 — 03.02.1994) was a Russian physicist, director of the Kurchatov Institute, academician (since 1953), and the President of the Soviet Academy of Sciences (1975–1986).

Alexandrov became prominent during World War II, when he devised a method of demagnetizing ships to protect them from mines, according to the Russian nuclear physicist Yevgeni Velikov.^{[citation needed]} Velikov also said that Alexandrov was instrumental in developing the Soviet nuclear-powered fleet, both surface vessels and submarines.^{[citation needed]}.

Alexandrov led the Soviet effort to develop Chernobyl-type nuclear reactors. He advocated the use of graphite-moderated reactors like the one that exploded at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine in 1986. Western scientists say such reactors do not meet international safety standards^{[citation needed]}.

Described by colleagues as a brilliant scientist and organizer, he was deeply affected by the Chernobyl disaster, the worst nuclear accident in history. It killed at least 32 people and caused widespread radioactive contamination. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated.

The accident later lead the Soviet government to review and the suspend the ambitious nuclear power program.

Alexandrov died of cardiac arrest on Thursday, February 3rd 1994.