Lately, I’ve found myself so deeply immersed in German society through work that I’ve started to forget who I really am. Adapting to new circumstances once again began to take away the feeling that I am a person with my own dreams and goals, that I am a living human being with emotions, that I am Ukrainian.
Some days I don’t even manage to read the news, just briefly scroll through social media and see which city was hit last night. Ukraine's harsh everyday reality wears you down. I want to stay updated on everything happening back home, yet sometimes I feel guilty for not being there. That feeling is familiar to so many Ukrainians forced to live abroad.
One weekend, on a rare day dedicated to simply staying home, I finally watched the documentary “2000 Meters to Andriivka” by Ukrainian filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov. I had already seen his Oscar-winning “20 Days in Mariupol” — both were produced by Frontline and the Associated Press for PBS — and I knew this film would make me cry, feel deeply, and hate the Russian invasion even more.
I had dreamed of seeing it in a cinema, shoulder to shoulder with other Ukrainians. But living abroad, you don’t get that chance. And so I experienced it alone, on a Ukrainian streaming platform.
“2000 Meters to Andriivka” left a heavy, unforgettable mark on my mind. For nearly two hours, I was in awe of the strength and courage of our soldiers. These are incredible young men — motivated, sincere, full of life. Each with his own story and purpose on the battlefield.
The most painful moments were seeing their eyes, hearing their voices and then the narration: “He was killed five months later in another battle,” “His body has not been found,” “He died in the hospital from his wounds.” In those moments, it felt like losing someone I knew.
The documentary shows the brutal reality of the war that russia started. These young men, and thousands like them, were supposed to build families, raise children, travel the world, pursue their dreams. Instead, they chose to defend us.
Throughout the film, I felt anger — first and foremost toward russia. But there were also moments that left me breathless for other reasons. There is a scene showing a cemetery filled with Ukrainian flags waving above the graves of fallen soldiers. In the background, foreign news outlets criticize Ukraine for its “lack of progress” on the front line. In that instance, all I could think was: “Are you out of your minds? How dare you?”
In the context of what’s happening today, we all need to see this film: Ukrainians and Western audiences alike; people who understand and those who still don’t grasp the price of their peaceful lives; adults and teenagers. It’s painful and difficult to watch, but it’s reality.
I urge everyone to give yourself time for “2000 Meters to Andriivka.” Let it remind you of the true cost of a morning coffee, a walk through the city, or time spent with friends. Not only in Ukraine. Because as long as our soldiers stand on the front line — the world stands with them. Support, donate, help however you can. The longer this war lasts, the more indifferent the world may become. Sadly, we witness it every day.
We remember every one of them. We will endure.
