Stranger Things: 4 theories about (spoiler) and the ladder

1. Hopper escaped down the ladder and the Russians found him as they were fleeing

This is clearly the most likely thing that happened.

Just before Joyce turns the key, Hopper realizes the ladder is there and climbs down it. The blast, then, misses Hopper and doesn’t turn him to mush. He continues on down the ladder to be apprehended by fleeing Russians.

Maybe he is injured from the fall or has to jump at some point? There’s a lot we don’t know about this, but the main thing we do know is that Hopper was not on that platform when the machine exploded.

Remember, when the US military and Dr. Owens arrive, the Russians are nowhere to be found. That means they had another way to escape, and I’m guessing it’s down to another tunnel or something. They would have definitely had some sort of escape route planned in case they were raided via the Starcourt Mall.

Maybe, there were more Russians at the bottom below, and Hopper was apprehended before he had a chance to climb back up. I’m thinking this is the most likely scenario, but I also have a few more theories worth sharing.