Two weeks later, on May 22, Brukhanov submitted a request to the nuclear energy minister, Anatoly Mayorets, seeking permission to take time off to visit his wife, Valentina, and their son, Oleg, who had been evacuated to the Crimea. Mayorets gave his approval, and Brukhanov flew south for a week’s holiday. In his absence, the minister made arrangements to have Brukhanov permanently removed from his position as director of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
