The former manager of the Ignalina nuclear power plant, Shevaldin, on the slogan “the Russians are waiting”, the fateful December and the grim dismissal

He is convinced that if Lithuania had been more determined and not only taken into account, but also started implementing the new nuclear power plant project, it would not have been the power plants in Astrava or Kaliningrad.

In the first part of this story, V. Shevaldin openly told who brought him to Lithuania, about Chernobyl and his secret assessment of the accident, about the Soviet Sniečkas (now Visaginas), and life in it.

“Cemodan, vagzal, race”

V. Shevaldin recalls that at the time of the coup in Moscow, the “country of Visaginas” was at its peak.

However, the Soviet Union was not left after the coup, and there was growing anxiety in Visaginas. The signs appeared more and more here: “Russians – Outside”, “Cemodan, Vagzal, Raza” (“Suitcase, Station, Russia” – ed.).

“I was in favor of the independence of Lithuania. When I first came here, I went through all the Baltic countries in three days, I remembered one of the most famous atomic scientists in the country. – I saw what I did not expect and I really liked it. Nothing was missing, such a supply, that even when I lived near Leningrad (now St. Petersburg – ed.) Did not exist: sausages, butter, beer … Until then, I thought that all the Baltic countries wanted to voluntarily join the USSR, and she simply accepted him into her own arms.

So he wrote in books and we believed it.

When I came here and spoke to the Lithuanians, they told me that “Vilnius is ours and we are Russians”. It was then that I realized that I had not volunteered here. “

The trains passed through Ignalina

When posters evoking the Russians from Lithuania appeared, V. Shevaldin says he appreciates the words of independence herald Antanas Terleckas.

“It just came to our attention then. He said that we would not allow the Russians to suffer harm, that we were not against the Russians, but against Bolshevik policies,” the interviewer recalled.

But V. Shevaldin himself says that at first he did not think he would spend the rest of his life in Lithuania.

“I had different options. Moscow, Leningrad, Kostoma: Everywhere his boys worked. If there was a need to leave, I would have found a job ”, the interviewee is convinced.

He is not hiding: when Lithuania declared its independence and it was not clear where it would become, several thoughts arose: “I thought: if we are not necessary, we will leave. It won’t fire, though. After all, the trains were running. About six people passed from Ignalina to Saint Petersburg during the day: from Berlin, Warsaw, Kaliningrad, Lviv and even Sofia. It ran from side to side like electric. And many others thought about it, nobody went to Russia to look for a job, but he returned again. And where to go, not a department or a job, and here I had everything. “

Unexpected offer

But let’s go back a little.

The new stage of V. Shevaldin’s career began when the then Minister of Energy, Leonas Ašmantas, arrived at the Ignalina nuclear power plant and reported that the power plant had been officially transferred to the jurisdiction of the Lithuanian state.

“He said that INPP Lithuania needs and specialists are needed, suggested that everyone think and do not rush to leave.” He was asked who the director would be from now on, and said that we would still see him. And then he organized a survey. I didn’t even know because I was on vacation. I return and a bus greets me. This has never happened before. Rumors are already circulating that I have been appointed director. I said for the first time that I heard this.

I came to work, and then Gennady Negrivoda, the temporary head of INPP, said: “L. Ašmantas called, you have to go to the Ministry of Energy. Take the car and drive. “I need it, I need it, I drove.
We met Ashman. He knew all the Lithuanian energy well: L. Ašmantas, Algirdas Stumbas and Pranas Noreikas. Lithuanian energy companies were very strong.

The minister offered to lead, and I’m not ready for that. He was a technical person, he had no leadership experience. I asked him about Lithuanian citizenship if he wanted to accept it. Then everything was much simpler: anyone who has lived in Lithuania for two years could already obtain a Lithuanian passport ”, recalled the interlocutor the events of thirty years ago.

He said goodbye to Ignalina easily.

Shevaldin was surprised at how easily the Soviet Union and Rosatom’s predecessor said goodbye to the Ignalina power plant.

“It just came to our attention then. Everything went smoothly, without any major decisions. It even surprised me when Russian representatives came to Lithuania for a few days. When Anatolija Cromčenko (former head of INPP – ed.) Was removed, and the chief engineer G. Negrivoda was appointed interim manager, the INPP transfer deed was signed under his leadership.

On the Lithuanian side, it was signed by Deputy Ministers Saulius Kutas and Robertas Tamošiūnas. There were only three printed brochures. I kept that copy for a long time. We were all amazed that it was streamed so easily and simply, without any inventory. And the State Atomic Energy Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) has been operating since November 1, ”said a witness to the historic event.

January 13: phone under the pillow

But that was already the case in 1991. November.

I ask V. Shevaldin, what were his eyes on January 13, what was going on inside the INPP then?

“Until January 13, there were still events on January 7.

And then this is what happened. Prices have risen sharply. Sausages, dairy products rose to the clouds. The pickets started in Vilnius, the first Lithuanian government and its Prime Minister Kazimiera Prunskienė resigned.

And then the events of January 13 began in the television tower. We really didn’t understand why that tower was needed. We continue to work in silence. Both blocks were working, no events occurred. Even then, the Ignalina nuclear power plant was guarded by officials of the Ministry of the Interior of the Soviet Union, who were, so to speak, under Moscow.

We knew he was shooting, that blood had been spilled. Then they all whispered, “What will happen now, what to expect now?”

The general reaction was: “We have to go.”

According to V. Shevaldin, the local communists were the most active in Visaginas at the time.

“But it was far from everything, it was nowhere. I know that Mykolas Burokevičius was invited to the nuclear power plant. He allegedly said that everything that is happening is meaningless, that these are temporary processes, that the Lithuanian people will soon discover and establish order. “

Someone else took and suggested: “Maybe we should stop the nuclear power plant.” So I said, “What, are you crazy? What is it like – shutting down the power plant? We are not a political organization.”

And without me, without my signature to stop any lines, it was impossible to disconnect. I said that if someone commits a violation, they will be tried.

And there have been no attempts to do something like this. On the contrary, vigilance, discipline, order increased. I held the phone under my pillow and was always available. And he was constantly at the power plant, he needed to talk to people, to work. And I did it. Because it was necessary to know what worried them: calm some, inspire others. Speak up, calm down. They respected me And I tried not to respect him, because I was the president of the examination commission “, exploits the interlocutor.

So even though people were busy at Visaginas, work at the power plant itself was normal, according to one witness at the time: no leaks, no cases of sabotage.

V. Shevaldin states that he did not participate in any meeting, but simply did his job: “I practically did not leave the block. I was at my workplace, not at demonstrations. “

Responsibility – higher, salary – lower

On the shoulders of V. Ševaldinas, who became the head of the Ignalina power plant, three positions practically fell for a salary.

He was the director of the operating nuclear power plant, the chairman of the power station board and the head of the operating organization; those positions were later separated by the Government resolution.

Where else will you find those fools? – laughs “And then he paid his wages in rubles and depreciated wagons.”

His salary was always lower than the salaries of the managers of Lietuvos Energija and Lietuvos Elektrinė.

“But, I say, the responsibility is much greater. The Chernobyl accident showed what could happen. Eugenia, everyone must feel responsible. After all, everyone in their place can hurt. If a person is irresponsible, then pay any salary it will not protect the object from an accident. It requires a brain, knowledge and the ability to work, “says an experienced atomist.

He says that he has worked a lot and jokes here saying that no more than 24 hours a day.

“It is not a job like the one you come in, work in and leave. The position of Deputy Chief Engineer meant working 24 hours. You are the first person to call if something happens. And for the manager, even more. You work during the day and you think at night. It’s not like you come to work and only then do you start to think about it. No. When you come to work, you know what to do. Contingencies also happen. And such technical things, smaller or bigger, happened every month. Somewhere someone was hooked, something started leaking, flowing, evaporating, someone was late, something could not be done. All problems are solved, only people who can complete tasks and time are needed. sometimes it was necessary to invite relevant specialists, who were lacking in Lithuania itself ”, says the interlocutor about the non-routine work routine.

Produced electricity, did not pay money

He recalled 1993, when nuclear power produced electricity, but did not pay money for it.

“It just came to our attention then. People had to pay salaries, settle accounts with contractors, designers. We have lived like this for almost a decade. At that time, the Ministry of Energy did not stay. I have a very good opinion of the former minister of Economy, Petras Česnas, who also received energy issues. He was a great host and manager. Like L. Ašmantas or Algirdas Brazauskas, whom you could call at any time as President and Prime Minister “, the interlocutor is not afraid to say his opinion, which It may seem uncomfortable to others.

By the way, V. Shevaldin assures that the communication with the personnel in the distant 1991 was very useful for him, when the decision was made to stop the operation of the INPP, the first unit, until 2005, the second, until 2010.

“It just caught our eye then, because one day those things are not done.” It was important not to panic, chaos, misunderstandings, so it was necessary to meet regularly with the team, the unions.

That year, before the closing of the first block, and then before the second, I organized large meetings every month, gathering hundreds of people.

For two or three hours, I answered questions, reassured them, asked questions, consulted, and advised. It was not a consolation, but a deal. The unions made demands, prepared for these meetings, and asked difficult questions. After all, the director is responsible for everything. For technical, nuclear, radiation, fire, and physical safety. If he has done something, he will end up in court, “said the interlocutor.

Did not support the closure

V. Ševaldinas states that he never supported the idea of ​​closing the INPP, he was always convinced before and until now that the Ignalina nuclear power plant could still work: “On the one hand, realizing that this is inevitable, I was preparing to it. On the other hand, I worked with the Ministry, the VATESI regulator, foreign experts, Seimas and politicians. What we did not invite and where I did not go. I met the negotiator Petras Auštrevičius and the then Prime Minister Alexander Abishala. Unfortunately, we were still forced to close INPP. ”

Built, elevated and closed.

“Everything is like in human life. He was born, raised, educated, worked, retired, and died, ”V. Shevaldin said in his voice without much regret.

However, he admitted that the closing period for both units was extremely difficult. After all, building is always easier than demolition.

Initially, there was little experience in commissioning new power plant units, let alone closing them.

“When the Ignalina nuclear power plant was built and started up, it was not that big, I had to learn everything simply by doing practical work. The same thing happened during the dismantling of INPP, there was practically no experience here. Especially when we talk about such unique reactors, “the atomist did not hide.

He says that learning how to stop and start the unit with the RBMK reactor was only possible from the Leningrad nuclear power plant, which started operating a little earlier: “There were many complex technical processes. Suppose
Disassembly of the reactor. Also, how to deal with radioactive graphite, which is the most unpleasant radioactive waste. Or, the problem of spent radioactive fuel storage. In Russia this was resolved more easily than in Lithuania. “

The projects, which were prepared while V. Shevaldin was still working, will run for several years. These were 25 projects, defended and financed.

“The donor conference that established the Closure Fund is no less worth what I have already told you. There is also my own experience, my own history, certain stages that have not been easily overcome. But the decisions have been made, they remain relevant and are still being implemented, ”said the interviewer.

When asked how he values ​​what is now evolving in a closed power plant, he painfully jokes that his eyes no longer see him, both literally and figuratively. But he says INPP is still working on a large part of his prepared team, although after his firing, many experienced managers were also fired.

“Many people left of their own free will, even though they were not fired for anything. They worked well and were able to continue working,” the interlocutor did not hide his regret.

Journalists learned of the layoff earlier

I ask, what happened to say goodbye?

“Farewell? No, I was canceled. For some reason it was interesting to everyone. But it was also interesting to me. Then the team asked this question during a meeting with then Minister Arvydas Sekmokas and Osvaldas Čiukšis, who was appointed in my place ”Recalled V. Ševaldinas.

Then they were asked why Mr. Shevaldin had been removed.

‘A. Sekmokas said that according to the law, the head of the Lithuanian nuclear power plant is appointed and removed by government resolution.

This government resolution was adopted in 2010. March 3 – just two months after the closure of the second unit. I was fired the same day.

How was everything? It is difficult to explain, but really unexpectedly and unexpectedly. Behind closed doors. No one spoke to me. On March 3, at 1 p.m., I was summoned to the ministry. Adopted by Vice Minister Romas Švedas. A. Sekmokas was sitting at the Government meeting at the time.

I came, I came to R. Švedas’s office without even knowing what he would tell me. I did not go to resign. I had it in the office, O. Čiukšys, lawyers, something else. And the journalists are already calling me.

It says, “Turn off your phone because they will call and call you.” It was only later that I realized that journalists had learned before me that an issue about my cancellation was on the agenda of the government meeting. They knew, and I didn’t.

I was told that the decision had been made to change the INPP management team. Supposedly because she has already acquired another status. That from now on we will work more flexibly with foreign companies, commissions that require English language skills. It was all so unexpected. I can’t imagine why they didn’t tell me earlier. At least I could think it ”, the interlocutor is still looking for an answer.

V. Shevaldin was told that O. Čiukšys would lead the Ignalina nuclear power plant.

“Before that, he visited the power plant for a couple of months, interacting with myself and with others. But he came as a representative of RATA (Radioactive Waste Management Agency – ed.). I was told there are plans to create a unified company and that nuclear energy would become part of RATA. “

Double the salary

V. Shevaldin states that he was completely eliminated from cancer: “Who is that RAT? An organization of people with little or no competition. And there is an object like the Ignalina nuclear power plant, where there are many professionals. There is a large amount of radioactive waste and it is not safe. I say: “I cannot be subordinate to any RAT”. He says, “Then O. Čiukšys will be able to do it.” That’s right … I was offered a job as a counselor. It was only a year before I retired and I accepted. “

The next day, after V. Shevaldin’s visit to the Ministry, A. Sekmokas arrived at the nuclear power plant. He asked to assemble the team, thanked him and introduced O. Čiukšis. But people are simple, they asked directly why V. Shevaldin was eliminated.

“The Minister explained that I built this power plant in operation, when it was in operation, so it will be psychologically difficult for me to work here. I couldn’t add anything, after all, the resolution had already been signed, “recalled the former INPP chief.

True, V. Shevaldin laughs, O. Čiukšius immediately more than doubled his salary: “I earned half even when both units were operating and was given more than double the salary when the INPP closed.”

O. Čiukšys remained at the Ignalina nuclear power plant for only one year, then was replaced by others.

A year later, Shevaldin left the job market by agreement.

“I am only speaking well or nothing about the government and its decisions. Because they are rushing to hurt, and who do I need at the time, “the interlocutor no longer wanted to speak in more speeches about the people who worked and work at INPP after him.

He says that is the beginning of his life and that he will not be strong enough to fight the authorities.

He did his best to prevent a second Chernobyl from happening

Without going into the details that were left in my record, Mr. Shevaldin spoke at length about how the reactors were improved, what steps were taken to ensure that the reactor could run for a long time, and that what happened in Chernobyl would not happen.

“Each reactor has 1,661 channels for fuel assemblies and 235 channels for the regulation bars that control the reactor. Each of them was tested, various tests and experiments were performed. All RBMK deficiencies were removed by switching to a new fuel composition. Control bars have also been modernized.

Thus, the RBMK reactors at Ignalina were modernized. And all of this was implemented after the Chernobyl accident.

So no one here can blame us anymore. We had done our best. We had a modern, modern, one of the best reactors. Russia, after our RBMK reactors, realized what was in our project and what we had already done. And we went even further. “

Swedes worked shoulder to shoulder

Already in the early years of Lithuania’s independence, the Swedish government offered support to Lithuania to increase the security of the Ignalina nuclear power plant: “The Ignalina nuclear power plant was previously closed to foreigners and the support of people was not allowed, except to watch. For more than a decade, the Swedish government has included in its budget funds for which it has implemented many projects in INPP. ”

According to the interlocutor, one of the most important things in such cooperation is that the Swedes reacted accordingly to the most painful burden on Lithuania: not knowing what to do with spent nuclear fuel. After all, Lithuania never planned to protect him.

“Previously, it was planned that there would be a special container, a special wagon that would be loaded with a chuck, a chuck, a chuck, beyond, to Russia, beyond the Urals.”

But came perestroikaand everything went to the wind. Nothing had been built there at the time, and the Russian nuclear power plant began building wet storage facilities at its sites.

We speak with the Minister of Energy L. Ašmantas, we say that we will also be offered to build such sites, but there is no experience, and what to do? After all, used cartridges cannot be hung on the wall. And the space in the temporary storage is almost gone. Time was short, so we managed to compact them. First, of course, we find out how safe it is.

1992 L. Ašmantas signed the first contract with the Swedish company SKB. Together with INPP specialists, a tender was prepared for the production of a dry-type spent fuel storage facility for one container.
At that time, the temporary fuel storage facilities operating at INPP were already full, the cartridges were stored in water, and there was no possibility of exporting the spent fuel to Russia.

The competition took place in 1995, and the German company GNB was selected and offered the best option: containers that satisfied us. 120 CONSTOR type containers were purchased, which guaranteed the safe operation of INPP until 2010.

Western specialists, on the other hand, gained access to the RBMK reactor. They said Stockholm is only 600 meters from Ignalina, so if the second Chernobyl happened to you, it wouldn’t be us. Radiation, like a virus, knows no borders. Cooperation has started. Of course, at first it caused us additional concerns, but since it was a government decision, I couldn’t object, “said the former head of the INPP.

INPP security assessments have been conducted and explains what additional efforts are needed to strengthen security.

“But we Swedes knew this and immediately said what we would like to change or improve, as well as increase the physical security of the INPP.” Modern equipment, cameras, alarms and fire protection were needed, doors had to be replaced in some places and cables had to be insulated in some places. We have really worked a lot with the Swedes, said V. Shevaldin.

Endless task

According to V. Shevaldin, the Europeans were constantly pressing Lithuania to close the INPP: “Even the Swedes, who were against such power plants after the Chernobyl accident, later said that they had studied everything, they invested a lot and thought that the Ignalina nuclear power plant was gone. it is not safe to close it immediately. If it were so insecure, the Swedes would immediately say that it should be closed. “

Meanwhile, the European Commission (EC) has established a Technical Assistance Fund to strengthen security. About two dozen projects were prepared, which V. Shevaldin had to review and assess how remarkable they were.

“We work together. We implemented all those projects and we did everything right. 1999 We received a license for the additional operation of INPP Unit 1. A similar situation was expected for the second block.

We plow, we work. Along with Westerners, but they wouldn’t have done anything without us. Such a tandem was created and we did a good job. These were the first projects with the EU.

Such conditions were established for Lithuania that nobody believed that we could implement them. But we did it in a way that nothing could be attached. But one day I had to say: “It is enough for us to propose new and always different technical conditions. Better to say the closing date clearly. “

That date was dictated by the European Commission. Lithuania tried to fight, postpone the negotiations, postpone the date. But I no longer participated in these negotiations: nobody invited me, nobody listened, and if they asked me, I provided all the information to the ministry, “said V. Shevaldin.

As soon as Lithuania’s accession negotiations with the EU began.

The interlocutor says that at that time the Ignalina power plant no longer had reserves, nor modernization or technological innovations, the closing date was strictly named and everything.

Fateful December 31

2000 An EU donor conference was held in Lithuania in the mid-19th century.

Representatives from all countries that allocated money for the closure of the INPP explained to whom the money is allocated.

Speaking of the closing comments, V. Shevaldin states that he was forced to say that they were preparing for the closing time and listed twenty projects from which he would like to start.

“And we did it. Ten minutes before the deadline, we stopped the first block and five years later, the second block, “recalled the interlocutor.

He says that December 31 is a fateful day in his life. That day, INPP units started one after another, that day, and stopped.

Mr. Ignalina

In this way, the INPP closing fund was established and approved, and a corresponding account was opened with the bank. It was also envisaged that a post of Deputy Minister in Lithuania would be established under the Ministry of Economy, which would only deal with the affairs of the Ignalina nuclear power plant. He was immediately appointed lord Ignalina.

First mystery Rimantas Vaitkus was named. After him were Artūras and Romas Švedas.

V. Shevaldin states that he was the initiator of the idea that after the closure of the INPP it is necessary to build a new and modern nuclear power plant.

“A normal farmer doesn’t destroy his house, don’t destroy his shoulder until he builds a new one. Where did you see him? That’s what I said: ‘Let’s build a new power plant and then turn off the old one.’ This is what Germany is doing and other countries The new block starts, the old one is closed As nothing could be done, it was decided to close INPP, and I convinced A. Brazauskas that a new one should be built.

At first, everyone liked the idea, but nobody knew where to get the money. The EU has said it will not give money to search for it ourselves. Then came the idea of ​​uniting and building a one- or two-unit power plant common to the three Baltic States on the site of the Ignalina nuclear power plant.

I was very surprised that in the same speech on the new nuclear power, the rulers abolished the Ministry of Energy. 2008 the same rulers reestablished that ministry. But time is already wasted. The Visaginas nuclear power plant was established by inexperienced people.

2006 A. Brazauskas summoned the prime ministers of Latvia and Estonia to Lithuania. The meeting took place at Visaginas. Then a memorandum was signed on the intention to build a complex: the Visaginas nuclear power plant.

The work began, one and then other directors of the new structure of the Visaginas nuclear power plant were appointed. There were three of them in total.

A tender was announced to select a reactor from the Japanese company Hitachi. Admittedly, it was a Fukushima-type reactor and immediately caused V. Shevaldin suspicions.

“I immediately realized that the nation would not understand such a choice. But they told me it was the cheapest option, “recalled the nuclear scientist.

A referendum was held after that. V. Shevaldin is convinced that the people did not speak against the new nuclear power plant, but against the Hitachi reactor. For some time now, the idea of ​​a new nuclear power plant had been floating in the air, but one after another, Latvians and Estonians abandoned this idea. During that time, much was lost and the idea of ​​a new nuclear power plant was eventually abandoned.

V. Shevaldin is convinced that if Lithuania had not only considered, but also taken more decisive steps to implement the new nuclear power plant project, it would not have been the Astrava or Kalinigrad power plants.

“It just came to our attention then. The sacred place will never be empty, there will always be a change,” the interlocutor is convinced.

I had to sit down and negotiate

V. Shevaldin also makes no secret of his opinion on the timing of electrical connections with Poland and Lithuania’s exit from the BRELL ring; otherwise, the disconnection of the connection of the northwestern and central part of Russia.
According to the interlocutor, after the commissioning of the first Astrava nuclear power plant, and he is confident that it will be done soon, it will satisfy only 20-25 percent. Belarusian internal demand.

“Ella no tendrá que vender nada todavía, no será suficiente ella misma”. Por lo tanto, Astravo NPP trabajará principalmente para satisfacer las necesidades de su país. Bielorrusia podrá vender electricidad pero producir en plantas de cogeneración. Y si renunciar o no es ya una cuestión comercial. Si será más barato, pero quién lo tomará. La gente no vivirá sin electricidad. Sí, es malo que la planta de energía esté tan cerca de Lituania, cerca de Vilna. Eso tampoco me gusta “, dice el interlocutor.

V. Shevaldin dice que no se habría construido tan cerca de Lituania si el gobierno se hubiera sentado antes en la mesa de negociaciones. “No era necesario andar en bicicleta con una camiseta, sino sentarse a la mesa de negociaciones con corbata y traje y hablar con los vecinos. Y cuando ya lo hayas construido, entonces es demasiado tarde ”, el interlocutor está convencido.

Se ríe de las declaraciones de K. Kubilius y otros políticos de que Lituania no permitirá que la electricidad rusa o bielorrusa lo alcance: “Pero viaja no de acuerdo con las leyes de A. Kubilius, sino de acuerdo con las leyes de la física. La única forma de evitar el acceso a la electricidad bielorrusa o rusa es desconectarse completamente de ese sistema de suministro de energía. Pero incluso eso, por no hablar de pequeñas cantidades, podría entrar teóricamente. De Bielorrusia a Rusia, de allí a Finlandia, luego a Estonia, y vía Riga directamente a Lituania. ¿Quién lo revisará? – El ex gerente de INPP ve esa posibilidad. – Para evitar que nos llegue electricidad de otros países, la única forma es producir la nuestra. Por supuesto, si existe tal posibilidad técnica y beneficio económico … En el momento de la operación de la central nuclear de Ignalina, Lituania no compraba electricidad a otros países ”.

Por lo tanto, está convencido de que se deben seguir otros métodos. El boicot comercial no detendrá el lanzamiento de la central nuclear de Astravo.

Por primera vez en el extranjero: solo 42

“Mi vida es interesante”, dice V. Shevaldin, volviendo la conversación hacia el final. “Hay muchas cosas buenas, malas e inesperadas”.

Sako, dirbdamas atominėje jis negalėjo net į užsienį išvažiuoti.

„Pirmasis mano vizitas įvyko tarptautinės atomininkų organizacijos WANO dėka, tai ji atvėrė kelius į užsienį. Susikūrus šiai organizacijai buvo apsikeista vizitais. Tuomet man pavyko apsilankyti JAV, kiek vėliau – Švedijoje, Didžiojoje Britanijoje.

Tai buvo mano pirmosios kelionės į užsienį ir iš karto į tokias valstybes. Man tai buvo šokas, juk man jau buvo 42 metai“, – apie jį ištikusi jausmą atviravo pašnekovas.

Vėliau jis aplankė Suomijos, Švedijos, Vengrijos, Japonijos elektrines.

„Tai buvo darbinės išvykos, bet kaip man tai buvo įdomu. Būdavo, grįždavau po tokių vizitų, einu per Ignalinos AE, žiūriu ir galvoju: „Mhm, galvojai, kad pas tave viskas gerai, o čia reikia ir šitą, ir štai šitą perdaryti. Universitetuose to nepamatysi ir neišmoksi, reikalinga praktika ir patirtis“.

Apie Rasą, sūnus, traukinius ir lėktuvus

Šiame interviu liko nepaminėta Rasa Ševaldina, moteris, su kuria gyvendamas Lietuvoje prieš 27-erius metus susiejo gyvenimą, gimė du sūnūs, kurie be jokio akcento kalba lietuviškai.

Beje, Rasa, išdirbusi Ignalinos AE dvidešimtį metų išėjo iš darbo tą pačią dieną kartu su vyru.

Mūsų pokalbio metu Rasa namuose dirbo nuotoliniu būdu, jaunėlis Dimitrijus, būsimasis transporto inžinierius (VGTU) užsidaręs kambaryje laikė egzaminą, o vyresnėlis Viktoras tuo metu krimto mokslus Rygoje, „Air Baltic“ skrydžių akademijoje.

Ševaldinai juokiasi, kad tėtis valdė atominę, o sūnus valdys „Boeing“. Tiesa, prieš tai vyresnėlis Vilniaus universitete baigė programavimo studijas ir nuo trečio kurso dirbo.

„Nenori ant žemės sėdėti, dangaus mat jam prireikė“, – juokiasi Viktoras.

Tėvams šis sūnaus užmojis nebuvo prie širdies. „Ko čia džiaugtis“, – sakė vaikino tėtis. Betgi, sakau, taip romantiška. „Aha, kažkam romantika, o kam – bemiegės naktys“, – prieštaravo pašnekovas. Taigi, vienas sūnui turės paklusti lėktuvai, kitam – traukiniai.

„Noriu, kad jie pirmiausia būtų garbingi ir tvarkingi vyrai. Norėčiau, kad jiems sektųsi, kad būtų darbštūs, galėtų išlaikyti šeimą, kurią kiekvienas jų kada nors turės“, – savo viltimi dalijasi pašnekovas.

V. Ševaldinas sako, kad prieš kurį laiką ir jo sūnūs buvo pakėlę sparnus: vienas svarstė apie studijas Rusijoje, kitas – Anglijoje, nes jų bendraklasiai masiškai paliko Lietuvą.

„Pasakiau: „Čia tėvai gyvena, čia ir jums mokytis būtų geriausia“. Iš pradžių buvo diskusijų: „Tėti, ir tie, ir tie išvažiavo, čia nėra perspektyvų“. Bet mėginau juos įtikinti, kad žmogus, kuris nori mokytis ir dirbti, visada turės perspektyvas. Tačiau sprendimus mokytis Lietuvoje jie priėmė patys“.

Baigdamas pokalbį garsiausias Lietuvos atomininkas, buvęs Ignalinos jėgainės vadovas V. Ševaldinas patikino: „Esu laimingas. Turiu gražią šeimą, namus. Mano namai – Lietuva, kitų neturiu. Turėjau ypatingą darbą, nes juk darbas lygus gyvenimui“.