Ukraine’s top representative in Australia has blasted the ABC for airing a Four Corners documentary focusing on the perspective of Russian troops fighting on the frontlines in Ukraine, describing it as “the journalistic equivalent of a bowl of vomit”.

The documentary, which was originally aired on Britain’s ITV network, showed filmmaker Sean Langan embedded with Russian troops in the Donbas, a region of Ukraine that Russia has claimed as its territory following the February 2022 invasion.

Ukrainian ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko said the program, titled Ukraine’s War: The Other Side, “unquestioningly repeated and aired countless blatant lies, historical distortions, racist claims and propaganda narratives emanating from the Kremlin”.

“In as much, it completely served the interests of Russia’s dictator, Putin,” Myroshnychenko said of the program, which aired last night.

“The Australian Broadcasting Corporation should be ashamed that it put such total garbage to air.

“Through the Minister for Communications, I will ask for a meeting with the managing director of the ABC and the executive producer of Four Corners to understand what process led to the airing of this pro-Putin and pro-violence propaganda piece by Australia’s national broadcaster.”

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said she had received a letter from Myroshnychenko on Tuesday afternoon. However, she affirmed the ABC’s operational and editorial independence, advising the ambassador to contact the broadcaster directly.

“I have received the Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia’s correspondence and have provided him with information regarding the ABC complaints process and relevant contact details.”

Stefan Romaniw, co-chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, said the program provided a platform for Russian propaganda and gave Russian soldiers free rein to justify the invasion of Ukraine.