Boris Baranov, The Order for Courage, Third Degree

1 of the 3 volunteers who went in 1986 on a suicide mission to open the valves of the pool at the Chernobyl plant 2

Three men volunteered: at Chernobyl

Alexei Ananenko, an engineer who knew the location of the valves, and, Valeri Bezpalov and Boris Baranov. The trio suited up and entered the radioactive waters of the flooded chamber. All three returned to the surface suffering severe radiation poisoning, but were pleased to see their colleagues jump with joy at the news that the valves were now open. Over the next day 20,000 tonnes of radioactive water was pumped out, and a subsequent report revealed that had this not been done, a thermal explosion would have taken place

In April of 2018, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko presented state awards to Alexey Ananenko and Valery Bespalov for their bravery, and posthumously to Boris Baranov

https://www.ukrinform.ru/rubric-society/2449795-prezident-vrucil-na...