Valery Legasov was the deputy director of the Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy, and was part of the team responsible for investigating the accident at Chernobyl. While those above him tried to cover up the cause and extent of the disaster, Legasov tried to remain open and honest about what really happened. This took a toll on him professionally and emotionally, and the day before the results of the investigation were to be announced, Legasov took his own life.

Eight years after his death, Legasov was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation by Russian President Boris Yeltsin, in recognition of his courageous efforts to tell the truth about Chernobyl.