World / February 22, 2024

Ukrainians in Exile: A Documentary Short Film

Watch The Nation’s newest documentary film, about Ukrainian refugees in the wake of Russia’s invasion.

Janek Ambros

Ukrainians in Exile.

(Janek Ambros)

It’s been two years since Russia invaded Ukraine, sending shockwaves through the region and throughout the world.

In this documentary film, we follow Anya, a woman residing in Ukraine during the early stages of the war. She sheds light on how the the crisis has completely upended her life, and contemplates how countries will treat her fellow Ukrainians who were forced to flee.

Ukrainians In Exile is presented by The Nation.
Director: Janek Ambros
Writer/Narrator: Anya
Executive Producer: Janusz Kaminski
Executive Producer: Robbie Leacock.

From the director:

When Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started in February of 2022, I felt compelled to help, due in some part to my Eastern European background. Helping refugees fleeing into Poland was a practical way to do so. I brought a camera and tried my best to document what I saw, eventually using the footage to encourage people to help refugees. I later collaborated with Anya, the film’s narrator, to give the perspective of a Ukrainian citizen still in her home country, asking the audience to help her fellow Ukrainians who had to leave. I hope Anya’s and my work reminds people that we must always help the most vulnerable. Those who wish to help can donate to Liev Schreiber’s BlueCheck Ukraine, which properly ensures that aid goes to the people most in need in Ukraine as the war continues.

Janek Ambros

Janek Ambros is a film director, producer and screenwriter. He is the founder of the film production company, Assembly Line Entertainment.

The Nation Video
Ludwig Hurtado

Ludwig Hurtado is The Nation's executive producer and multimedia editor. He is also a writer and filmmaker whose work has appeared in The New York TimesNew York MagazineNBC NewsRolling Stone, and elsewhere.

More from The Nation

President Donald Trump holds a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago club on December 29, 2025

Trump and Netanyahu Want to Turn Iran Into a Failed State Trump and Netanyahu Want to Turn Iran Into a Failed State

This war looks designed to cause maximum chaos and instability. The world will pay a high price.

Jeet Heer

The War on Terror Paved the Way for Trump’s Rise—Now He’s Making It His Own

The War on Terror Paved the Way for Trump’s Rise—Now He’s Making It His Own The War on Terror Paved the Way for Trump’s Rise—Now He’s Making It His Own

Only the total abolition of the DHS can restore freedom.

Feature / Spencer Ackerman

Iranians gather at Palestine Square in Tehran carrying Iranian flags, chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans to protest the attacks by the United States and Israel on February 28, 2026.

The Iranian Voices America Isn’t Hearing The Iranian Voices America Isn’t Hearing

We need to listen to those who oppose both the Islamic Republic’s authoritarianism and foreign military escalation.

Sina Toossi

The US Attacks Iran in a War of Aggression

The US Attacks Iran in a War of Aggression The US Attacks Iran in a War of Aggression

The US has waged many wars—but this is one of the most senseless we've ever seen.

Phyllis Bennis and Khury Petersen-Smith

Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) speaks during a House Rules Committee meeting in Washington, DC, on February 10, 2026.

Opposing Trump’s Cruel Assault on the Cuban People Opposing Trump’s Cruel Assault on the Cuban People

An interview with Representative Jim McGovern.

Peter Kornbluh and Katrina vanden Heuvel

A photograph of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny at a vigil in front of the Russian Embassy in Bucharest, Romania, on February 18, 2024.

A New Report on Alexey Navalny’s Death A New Report on Alexey Navalny’s Death

Boris Kagarlitsky and hundreds of unknown political prisoners remain in Russia’s prisons.

Leif Reigstad