ABSTRACT
Probably one of the most dramatic pages in the history of nuclear weapons was connected with the development of plutonium metallurgy. High-purity plutonium metal was needed to produce a nuclear charge. Location of a site for this highsecurity enterprise was selected by the Special Committee early in 1947. This committee (I.V. Kurchatov was among its members) was headed by S.N. Kruglov, Minister of Internal Affairs. The committee agreed upon the construction of the plant on the site of the ex-Navy ammunition depot located near the Tatysh railway junction, not far from the town of Kyshtym [41]. Within two years, in February 1949, Plant V was put into full-scale operation.
