Russia 1985-1999: Traumazone

BBC Four, from 10pm

Documentary-maker Adam Curtis’s most coherent and persuasive series for some time dissects the demise of the Soviet Union and the chaos that rose in its wake as oligarchs, politicians and former spooks fought for supremacy. The Russian people – and perhaps democracy itself – paid the price. A superbly assembled first three episodes launch the series, available in full on BBC iplayer.