Mikhail Shchadov

Mikhail Ivanovich Shchadov (; 14 November 1927 – 13 November 2011) was a Russian engineer who served as the minister of coal industry between 15 December 1985 and 24 August 1991, being the last Soviet minister to hold the post.

Early life and education Shchadov was born in the village of Kamenka, Irkutsk Oblast on 14 November 1927. He graduated from Tomsk Polytechnic Institute, majoring in mining engineering in 1953. Shchadov served in the cabinet led by Nikolai Ryzhkov.

Shchadov's term was extended in March 1989. Just four days after this the mine workers started a large-scale strike. However, two months later in October 1991 Shchadov was appointed chairman of the board of the Credit Bank of Moscow. but the drama lowered his age and depth of experience in the coal industry for narrative and propaganda purposes. In reality, Shchadov enjoyed healthy support amongst coal miners and faced little resistance in drafting them into the Chernobyl recovery effort.