[publicola1990]

In pop history the influence of Chernobyl is wildly exaggerated.

In the complex set of events that lead to the collapse, Chernobyl is only a footnote.

[oneshtein]

Fear of Chernobyl catastrophe was the major reason to demand free speech. Free speech made it clear that USSR is far behind western countries, it opposes. Which created demand to catchup with West or/and to dismantle inefficient soviet regime (AKA «Go West»[1] or «Light from the West»).

[1]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNBjMRvOB5M