Little made sense. Amid a swirl of confusion and panic, rumors of mutant creatures — giant mosquitos, three-headed birds, spineless hedgehogs — made the rounds. People spoke of children with yellow fluid for blood and secret camps where they were putting the sick. Some claimed cucumbers and vodka could cure the illness.

What had caused it all? Witnesses said they’d seen an otherworldly light floating in the sky before the accident. Many blamed foreign spies and saboteurs. Others whispered that the government itself had been behind what happened. All anyone knew was that there was no point in looking to newspapers, television, or radio for answers; they were never going to give people the truth.

Thirty-four years ago, this is how Soviet citizens reacted as the Chernobyl disaster unfurled before them, irreparably tainting their faith in the system that had caused it.