Ukrainian Peacekeepers

A documentary story about the first combat experience of the Ukrainian army after the country regained its independence. At a time when the young state didn’t yet have its own currency but was already striving to be part of the international community, Ukrainian troops headed to the Balkans — the epicenter of a bloody conflict that shook Europe in the 1990s.

A documentary episode about the Ukrainian army’s first combat experience in distant Iraq and the most large-scale demining operation in southern Lebanon. How did Ukrainians find themselves between Israel and Hezbollah? What is hidden behind the noble façade of peacekeeping missions? Why did Ukraine’s reputation come under attack — and what role did Russia play in that? This episode also explores the inner contradictions of peacekeeping: strained relations with allies, indecisiveness of high command, moral dilemmas on the ground, and the political and economic consequences of Ukraine’s involvement in conflicts across the Middle East.