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Boris Shcherbina

Boris Yevdokimovich Shcherbina was a Soviet politician who served as Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union from 1984 to 1989.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Boris Yevdokimovich Shcherbina was a Soviet politician who served as Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union from 1984 to 1989. He is best known for leading the Soviet government commission that managed the response to the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and for his role in crisis management during the 1988 Armenian earthquake. He was born in 1919 and died in 1990.

Early life

Shcherbina was born on 5 October 1919 in Debaltseve, in what is now Ukraine. Sources identify him as a Soviet politician of Ukrainian origin.

Soviet political career

He held several government and party posts before becoming Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers in 1984. He also served in the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR.

Chernobyl response

In 1986, Shcherbina was appointed to lead the government commission dealing with the Chernobyl disaster. He oversaw emergency management and coordination of the Soviet response.

Later life and death

Shcherbina retired in 1989. He died in Moscow on 22 August 1990 and was buried at Novodevichy Cemetery.

Key facts

  • Born in Debaltseve on 5 October 1919.
  • Served as Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union from 1984 to 1989.
  • In 1986, he headed the commission assigned to investigate and manage the Chernobyl disaster response.
  • He also supervised Soviet crisis management after the 1988 Armenian earthquake.
  • He retired in 1989 and died in Moscow on 22 August 1990.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Boris Shcherbina?
He was a Soviet politician who served as Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers from 1984 to 1989.
What is Boris Shcherbina known for?
He is best known for leading the Soviet government commission during the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.
Did Boris Shcherbina work on the Armenian earthquake response?
Yes. Sources say he also supervised crisis management after the 1988 Armenian earthquake.
Where was Boris Shcherbina born?
He was born in Debaltseve, now in eastern Ukraine, on 5 October 1919.
When did Boris Shcherbina die?
He died in Moscow on 22 August 1990.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Shcherbina
    Supports: Birth and death dates, Soviet political office, and role in the Chernobyl response.
  2. Presidential Library of Russia — https://www.prlib.ru/en/history/1992769
    Supports: Birthplace, government roles, and burial information.
  3. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Shcherbina
    Supports: Deputy chairman role and crisis management during Chernobyl and the Armenian earthquake.