‘2000 Meters to Andriivka’ Review: A Shattering Expedition to the Frontline of the War in Ukraine

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In the wake of Russia’s relentless conflict against Ukraine, the global sentiment has transitioned from disbelief to anger, then to a heavy sense of sorrow – and the collection of documentaries produced in response mirrors this progression, each offering a unique perspective. Two years ago, Ukrainian journalist and filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov introduced us to “20 Days in Mariupol,” a powerful and award-winning exploration into the raw emotions experienced by civilians during the early weeks of the invasion in 2022: a harrowing, real-time experience that left audiences both shaken and inspired. Now, Chernov delves deeper with “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” serving as a companion piece to his previous work, offering yet another gripping, on-the-ground look at the brutal reality of war – this time focusing on the courageous Ukrainian soldiers fighting on the frontlines.

Similar to its predecessor, this movie shares the raw, expressive imagery of conflict but also carries a sense of weariness, often depicting military combat with a bitter hint of futility that arises from prolonged conflict exposure. While some soldiers portrayed by Chernov remain eager for battle, others, including the filmmaker himself, express concerns about an unending war. “This war is a nightmare from which no one can awaken,” he says in voiceover, following a soldier’s admission of regularly dreaming about battles that mirror his daytime experiences. Produced by Frontline and the Associated Press, as was its predecessor, “Andriivka” is less factually reportive and more deeply affecting than “Mariupol”. It serves as a reflection of the current situation and an extended, agonizing portrayal of that moment in time.

According to the title, this document focuses on a military mission with a specific geographical objective: the small village of Andriivka in eastern Ukraine, which was occupied by Russian forces towards the end of 2022. This isolated area is particularly challenging due to its proximity to extensive minefields and the fact that it can only be reached through a narrow, devastated strip of land once covered in forest but now resembles a graveyard for nature, filled with charred tree trunks like giant used matches scattered across. The volunteer soldiers from Ukraine’s Third Assault Brigade have to navigate this treacherous path, which is a mere 2000 meters (approximately one-and-a-quarter miles) in distance, but due to Russian fortification, becomes an arduous and deadly obstacle course.

As the title cards tick down, the team – accompanied by Chernov and journalist Alex Babenko, armed with body cameras – cautiously advance along this harrowing escape route. They frequently take cover in trenches while waiting for the signal, with gunfire echoing overhead. In one particularly raw image, a soldier is fatally wounded on screen, and others sustain grave injuries; even tough soldiers like Fedya, a 24-year-old ex-warehouse worker who sees his role as “to fight, not serve,” are at risk, needing hospitalization before returning to the battlefield.

The countdown title cards guide the group, consisting of Chernov and fellow AP journalist Alex Babenko, equipped with body cameras, through a treacherous path towards liberation. They frequently hide in trenches while waiting for the green light, as gunfire is heard overhead. An unsettling close-up captures a soldier’s death, and others are severely injured; even tough soldiers like Fedya, a 24-year-old ex-warehouse worker who defines his mission as “to fight, not serve,” require hospitalization before returning to the combat zone.)

Amidst the chaos, Chernov’s camera focuses on intimate portraits of Ukrainian soldiers risking their lives in an attempt to reclaim a small piece of land. One man humorously reflects on the soothing effect of making cigarettes, while another notes that his military service has given him insight into his wife’s worries: “I worry about her because she worries about me, and I can see how much anxiety her worrying causes.” At regular moments, Chernov’s voiceover in English breaks the intense, ongoing action to inform viewers which of the men depicted later perished, casting a shadow on any advancements made towards Andriivka.

The movie deviates from its initially apparent linear, goal-oriented narrative structure due to a staggered perspective. After the demise of Fedya’s right-hand man, the plot suddenly jumps ahead to a funeral in his hometown, which is now tragically familiar with such funerals for fallen young men. The deceased’s partner laments, “They say heroes never die, but they do.” This sentiment mirrors a sense of public despair, reinforced by snippets of news reporting the failures of Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive, with the battle of Andriivka being just one piece. When the brigade eventually arrives at the village – a desolate landscape of debris and ashes – there’s little left to salvage except for a frightened, starving cat gently carried by soldiers in a backpack.

While they celebrate a minor achievement as a sign of hope for their larger struggle, some men express optimism, but Chernov, in narration, reveals his concerns about fading energy and growing apathy from the rest of the world as fresh global conflicts claim attention. The documentary “2000 Meters to Andriivka” is both energetic and weary, pushing forward while frozen with fear, carrying an overarching sense of anxious exhaustion. This sentiment is perfectly captured by a soldier’s poignant, bitter query: “What if this war lasts for the rest of our lives?” Regrettably, for too many of his fallen comrades, it has already done so.

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2025-01-24 05:16