The Embassy of Ukraine to the Netherlands is deeply concerned about the scheduled screenings of ‘Russians at War’ documentary by Russian film director Anastasiya Trofimova, which are planned to be held at several locations in the Hague, including at the Leiden University College. In this regard, the Embassy would like to state the following.

‘Russians at War’ documentary is a piece of Russian outright propaganda that intentionally distorts the reality of the ongoing genocidal Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, thereby misleading viewers and promoting toxic narratives of Kremlin.

‘Russians at War’ aims at whitewashing Russian soldiers and absolving them of responsibility for murder, rape, torture, looting, forced deportation of children, and destruction of Ukrainian cities. It is an instrument of manipulation of the public opinion.

According to the information provided by the Department for the Protection of National Statehood of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the film in question is an element of a special information-psychological operation carried out by the Russia’s intelligence services. Its purpose is to justify and support the military-political leadership of the Russian Federation in continuing its so-called “special military operation.”

Filmmaker Anastasiya Trofimova violated the Ukrainian legislation by illegally crossing the state border of Ukraine to shoot the film. She confirmed in one of her interviews that she did not request a permission from Ukrainian authorities to enter Ukraine's territory for the filming. Given the highly restricted access, it is hard to believe that the Russian military and/or government did not facilitate her travel to the frontline.

The Security Service of Ukraine has initiated the criminal proceedings against Anastasiya Trofimova under Part 3 of Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (justification and recognition as lawful of Russian aggression).

Based on this information, the Embassy will regard any support for the screening of this film as contributing into the Russian Federation’s information efforts against Ukraine.

We expect the ‘Russians at War’ propaganda documentary screenings to be canceled.

Ukraine deeply values the support of the Netherlands and the Dutch people.