“I’m not interested in what’s perceived as traditional documentary films”: Oleksiy Radynski on Special Operation at Berlin Film Festival 2025

Oleksiy Radynski’s Special Operation offers a rare and powerful look at the Russian occupation of Ukraine’s Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant during the early 2022 invasion. Composed entirely of surveillance footage, the 65-minute documentary reveals the chilling scope of the occupation as Russian forces transformed the site into a strategic military base. Radynski sought to document this unprecedented event and highlight potential war crimes. The film’s raw narrative is enhanced by a deeply unsettling soundtrack, allowing the footage to speak for itself while offering a stark, thoughtful examination of the war.

Following the film’s premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, Radynski sat down with The Upcoming to discuss his decision to forgo traditional narration, opting instead to let the footage speak for itself. He highlighted the profound impact of Vladimir Golovnitski’s sound design and its remarkable success in a cinematic setting. Radynski also expressed his ambition to further explore the conflict through a documentary, suggesting the possibility of a trilogy alongside his 2023 short film Chornobyl 22.

Christina Yang

Special Operation does not have a release date yet.

Read more reviews from our Berlin Film Festival coverage here.

For further information about the event, visit the Berlin Film Festival website here.