Chernobyl Documentary Viewers Notice 'Terrifying Parallels' With Russia-Ukraine War

Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes floored viewers on Monday night when it premiered on Sky Documentaries.

The harrowing film tells the story of the nuclear power-plant explosions at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukrainian SSR on 26th April 1986, through extraordinary unseen footage.

Those who tuned in had heaps of praise for the emotional documentary, but many couldn't help but notice the rather worrying similarities between Russia's treatment of Ukraine in 1986 versus today.

Sky)

The Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986 was caused by a faulty Soviet reactor and the treacherous mistakes of some plant operators.

In the aftermath of the disaster, the Soviet Union tried to keep things under wraps, enforcing a total media blackout, and closing borders.

Even when undeniably dangerous levels of radiation were detected out as far as Scandinavia in the days following, the Kremlin insisted that life go on as normal and that nothing was wrong.

Although Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes claims that approximately 200,000 people lost their lives as a result of the disaster, the official Soviet death toll to this day is 13.

Watching the new documentary just days after Russia invaded Ukraine, viewers couldn't help but draw parallels with the USSR's Chernobyl cover-up and spread of disinformation.

Sky)

Reacting to the documentary on Monday night, one viewer tweeted: "Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes. Terrifying parallels between the Soviet Propaganda Machine of 1986, and the bare-faced lies being pedalled this last week."

Twitter)

Another wrote: "Bit ironic that I'm watching #Chernobyl The Lost Tapes about the disaster & it may be facing a similar disaster at the hands of a man who harks back to the #USSR".

A third noted that the documentary "couldn't feel more relevant today", writing: "Watch 'Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes' on Sky Docs tonight or on catch up. It's a heartbreaking and fascinating film, beautifully made by a brilliant team. Couldn't feel more relevant today."

One Twitter user who had yet to watch the documentary wrote: "What promises to be a fascinating programme on Sky Documentaries at 8pm, Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes. Will be harrowing for sure and the timing is rather apt given current circumstances."

You can watch Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes on Sky Documentaries and NOW.

Topics: TV And Film, Documentaries

Ali Condon

Ali is a journalist for LADbible Group, writing on all things film, music, and entertainment across Tyla, LADbible and UNILAD. You can contact Ali at [email protected].

@alicondon