Biography
Do to his arrest Igor Smolnikov can no longer take care of his family and particularly his older sister, who is disabled and completely dependent on his help.
Igor was born in May 1970 in Ozersk, Chelyabinsk Region. When he was a child, his father left the family, so his mother raised two children on her own. They lived modestly, but amicably. In 1957, there was a radiation accident at the "Mayak" plant, and Igor's mother took part in the cleanup efforts. She passed away in 2014.
Since childhood, Igor loved nature, fishing, picking mushrooms and berries, and liked photography. He also liked assembling and repairing radio equipment, which influenced his choice of profession. After school, he qualified as an instrumentation technician at a vocational technical college. Igor was interested in exact sciences, participated in contests for mathematics and physics.
Smolnikov completed his military service in Moscow. Returning to his homeland after 2 years, he got a job at the Mayak plant, where he worked for 17 years in his profession. For his professionalism, he was awarded category 8 — the highest. Three times he won "The Best Instrumentation Technician" competition. Colleagues respected and appreciated Igor and even after he left the plant, they often asked him for advice.
After retirement, Igor took up a new business he found interesting — renovating apartments. For his honesty and reliability, clients often recommend him to their loved ones, and Igor often helps lonely and elderly people for free. He also has an interest in car repairs.
Igor is married to Svetlana — they have been married for over 30 years. In 1997, the couple were baptized as Jehovah's Witnesses. Together they raised their daughter Mariya, instilling in her a love for God. The family loves to travel by car to picturesque places.