The word “bravery” is too often used to describe films that, at the end of the day, are ultimately just works of entertainment. However, there is no other way to describe an ambitious undertaking like *2000 Meters to Andriivka*, which literally put the lives of its crew in danger.
*2000 Meters to Andriivka* was directed by Academy Award-winning documentarian Mstyslav Chernov, whose previous film, *20 Days in Mariupol*, documented the first few weeks of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Although the suffering of the Ukrainian people has been disturbingly ignored as the world’s attention shifts to other developing conflicts, Chernov intended to expose the sheer brutality his nation is experiencing during one of its most dangerous wars ever.
The footage he captured for *2000 Meters to Andriivka* is haunting, shocking, and infuriating—and it’s more important than ever that it is seen.
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### A Major Step Toward Accessible Documentary Storytelling
Access is still a major issue in the film industry, with many top award contenders only available to those living in coastal cities or having the extra funds needed to attend film festivals. This is particularly harmful for documentaries, which already face an uphill battle in attracting interest.
Thankfully, *2000 Meters to Andriivka* has been made freely available to stream on both PBS’s streaming platform and YouTube, ensuring it can reach the widest possible audience.
PBS has certainly faced a rough year due to cuts in funding, but *2000 Meters to Andriivka* is exactly the type of eye-opening nonfiction that proves public broadcasting is critical to keeping the public informed.
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### ‘2000 Meters to Andriivka’ Was a Dangerous Production
What makes *2000 Meters to Andriivka* unique compared to most documentaries is that Chernov had no idea how the film would end when he started following the developing situation.
To understand what the Ukrainian defense forces experienced while trying to reclaim their homeland from Russia’s occupying forces, Chernov followed a group of soldiers trekking toward the city of Andriivka—a city occupied during the second year of the war. The mission was not only dangerous because of difficult terrain and heavy Russian firepower, but also heartbreaking because of the lasting damage inflicted upon the nation.
The Ukrainian militia travels through areas that have been decimated and ransacked, as decades of history and culture have been erased by Russian attacks. One of the most heartbreaking points Chernov makes is that Ukraine has lost something it may never be able to regain, even if it miraculously liberates its people.
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### Intense Combat Footage Like Never Before
*2000 Meters to Andriivka* features some of the most intense combat footage ever caught on film. While even the most brutal war films—like *Black Hawk Down* or this year’s *Warfare*—do their best to simulate the chaos of firefights, Chernov was literally ducking for cover alongside Ukrainian soldiers trying to avoid being shot.
The fact that Chernov could film under these conditions feels almost impossible, especially since many of the people he interviews in the film eventually lose their lives.
Additionally, the story continues to develop. After premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in January, the version released on PBS was updated with information about Ukraine’s plight, reflecting unfolding events from the previous eleven months.
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### Capturing an Expanding Crisis in Real Time
In a media landscape where truth is under siege, *2000 Meters to Andriivka* offers a visceral account of the atrocities committed and humanizes the Ukrainian people defending their homes.
Although Chernov clearly views them as heroes, the platoon he follows is vastly outnumbered and outgunned by enemy combatants. Many in the group are volunteers with no formal military training.
Chernov uses a clever framing device in counting down the meters before the platoon finally reaches Andriivka, which slowly begins to feel like a ceremonial victory. Though it’s no surprise that the village has been devastated and its residents forced to flee, the moment remains devastating on screen.
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### Why *2000 Meters to Andriivka* Deserves Your Attention
The importance of what Chernov has achieved cannot be overstated. *2000 Meters to Andriivka* deserves praise for its incredible filmmaking and editing, which together create an immersive experience rivaling any documentary—and frankly, most narrative films—released in 2025.
This is a film with the legitimate power to change hearts and minds and is proof that documentary cinema remains one of the most effective ways to tell urgent, important stories.
While the impeccable craftsmanship makes *2000 Meters to Andriivka* a must-see for cinephiles, the subject matter is so urgent that it should be seen by anyone with a conscience.
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### Watch *2000 Meters to Andriivka* for Free
*2000 Meters to Andriivka* is available to watch for free on [PBS.com](https://www.pbs.org).
Don’t miss the opportunity to witness this brave and essential documentary that stands as a testament to the resilience of the Ukrainian people amid unimaginable hardship.
https://collider.com/2000-meters-to-andriivka-war-movie-free-pbs/