In a later interview, Petrov stated that the famous red button was never made operational, as military psychologists did not want to put the decision about a nuclear war into the hands of one single person.
Inter-un interviu ulterior, Petrov a declarat că faimosul buton roșu nu ar fi funcționat, deoarece psihologii militari nu voiau să pună decizia unui război în mâinile unei singure persoane.