In an unusual adaptation, the standard KrAZ cabin of the KrAZ-256B1-030 was replaced by a lead shield capsule. Constructed with two steel walls sandwiching a layer of lead, the capsule offered substantial protection. The bottom portion was the thickest, with lead reaching 3 cm, responding to the higher radiation levels present closer to the ground where fragments from the reactor littered the surface widely released radiation.
Visibility from the capsule relied on four mirrors placed on the sides and rear, as the vehicle carried no full glass windows aside from a small windshield. To support the capacity of a three-ton capsule, the truck’s frame underwent significant strengthening. The engineers at the Kremenchug Automobile Plant completed this enhancement under tight deadlines, delivering a modified machine that could perform under extreme conditions.
After assembly, the serial KrAZ unit was directed to the experimental workshop, where it transformed into the KrAZ-256B1-030. It then traveled by rail to a disaster area. Drivers operating these machines faced demanding conditions, unable to switch off the engine from inside the cab and breathing air purified by the rooftop filtration system as they worked for days to clear wreckage.
Following the completion of the mission, all KrAZ-256B1-030 units were decommissioned. Nevertheless, similar KrAZ trucks continue to be used for demanding tasks, and the video highlights the contexts where this equipment might be deployed. It is understandable that such machinery should be used sparingly, given the risks involved.
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