The connection of synthesis of long-lived superheavy nuclei and existence of the island of stability with the choice of realistic nuclear potential is discussed: the behaviour of the average field of nuclei is an important element of nuclear models.
It is also shown that it is just Dubna that possesses the priority both in the recent synthesis of a superheavy nucleus with charge Z = 114 and in its theoretical prediction made 33 years ago. Possible sizes of the island of stability of superheavy nuclei are considered.