On 25 June 2025, the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research held a ceremony of opening the square named after Vladimir Dmitrievich Ananyev, one of the creators of the IBR-2 Reactor and an Honorary JINR employee. A memorial plaque was installed at the entrance to the IBR-2 building to pay tribute to the outstanding engineer of the Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics.

FLNP JINR Director Egor Lychagin gave opening remarks, emphasising the significance of this event for the entire Institute. He noted that by naming the square after Vladimir Ananyev, JINR paid tribute to a great scientist who made a substantial contribution to FLNP’s establishment and development. “Without his efforts, the Laboratory of Neutron Physics we know todat would probably not exist,” Egor Lychagin said.

Joint Institute’s Director Grigory Trubnikov addressed the participants of the ceremony with a welcome speech. He emphasised Vladimir Ananyev’s achievements in the development and creation of the high-flux IBR-2 Pulsed Reactor. This unique facility of the JINR research infrastructure continues to serve the interests of fundamental science and remains an important tool for advanced studies.

“Vladimir Dmitrievich Ananyev was an excellent illustration of Dubna’s scientific and engineering tradition,” the JINR Director noted. “We were all fortunate to have such a person live among us and contribute to creating world-class facilities”.

Vladimir Ananyev daughter Anna Patkina spoke on behalf of his family. She expressed deep gratitude to the management of the Joint Institute, the Laboratory of Neutron Physics, and all the organizers of the ceremony. “We are very grateful for the high appreciation of my father’s work. It was very important to him as it was the meaning of his life,” she emphasised.

Vladimir Ananyev’s friends and colleagues shared vivid memories from his life and career. FLNP JINR chief researchers Evgeny Shabalin and Viktor Aksenov noted his professionalism as an engineer and an effective leader, capable of handling even the most complex tasks.

Evgeny Shabalin shared several stories related to Vladimir Ananyev, particularly about the experience of working together on the movable reflectors of the IBR-2 Reactor and the compromise solutions that the scientist justifiably made to ensure the stable and long-term operation of the facility.

The FLNP employees noted that Vladimir Ananyev had both deep engineering thinking and the qualities of a reliable friend and mentor, which earned him the team’s sincere trust.

Colleagues of Vladimir Ananyev from the Dollezhal Research and Development Institute of Power Engineering (NIKIET JSC), Igor Tretyakov and Vladislav Sizarev, noted that for those who had the opportunity to work with the scientist, he remained an unparalleled authority in his field. “He had the highest professionalism, modesty, and the ability to communicate with both academics and subordinates as equals, always respecting their dignity,” Vladislav Sizarev commented. NIKIET JSC representatives congratulated the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research on the opening of the square named after Vladimir Ananyev and suggested to consider creating the scientist’s sculpture in Dubna.