by Alex Henderson

illustration by Rostislav Kotil 

illustration colors by Peter Holland

Name: Stanislav Petrov    
Born: c. 1939
Profession: Retired Russian Soviet Air Defence Forces lieutenant colonel .
Accomplishment: Averted nuclear holocaust.
Nationality: Russian

→ Philanthropy: 10/10
Gave the world chance to survive when he correctly identified and disregarded official orders indicating an impending US missile attack that would have necessitated Soviet counter-attack, despite punishment from authorities.

→ Extremism: 3/10
Quoted as humbly asserting, “All that happened didn’t matter to me — it was my job. I was simply doing my job, and I was the right person at the right time, that’s all.”

→ Guilt Factor: 0/10
The only thing he’s guilty of is disobeying orders, which even his hard-assed Soviet superiors eventually forgave.

 → Mythology / Mythbusters: 3/10
Though he inspired a documentary named The Red Button and the Man Who Saved the World, count yourself as one of a small number of people now aware that they potentially owe their lives to this modest hero.

→ Inspiration to Others: 10/10
Despite his heroic inaction, Soviet authorities feared widespread awareness of his deeds would inspire lack of confidence in their military. Petrov’s actions were kept on the down-low for years.

→ Fate Factor: 8/10
Fate dictated he be stationed at the malfunctioning Moscow air base that day, but it was his will that led him to avert senseless destruction.

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