‘Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom’ on Netflix Shows a Pivotal Moment Leading to the Russia-Ukraine War

If you’re looking to learn a bit more about the current crisis unraveling in Ukraine as Russia invades, there are plenty of podcasts, books, and documentaries on the subject. But we know watching the news 24 hours a day can get a bit fretful, so instead, look to Netflix for more information on the matter. The streamer released the doc Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom a few years ago, and now, it’s as topical as ever.

Late last night (February 23), Russia’s Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine, with Russian forces quickly invading their European neighbor. The tragic warfare has left dozens dead so far, as the Russian troops close in on the nation’s capitol, Kyiv, and take over spots like Chernobyl. President Joe Biden has spoken out against the war, drawing new sanctions that plan to weaken Russia’s economy. As new developments unfold, sites like the New York Times and channels like CNN have live coverage with plenty of updates on the matter at hand.

But if you’re looking for more background on what led to this conflict, here’s everything you need to know about Winter on Fire on Netflix, and how it relates to recent events.

What is Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom about?

This doc hones in on the unrest in Ukraine between 2013 and 2014, which comes as a result of a student protest held in the nation’s capitol, Kyiv. Over time, these student demonstrations supporting European integration grew into a violent revolution calling for the resignation of President Viktor F. Yanukovich. In a recent interview with IndieWire, the film’s director, Evgeny Afineevsky opened up about the film’s surge in relevancy as the war on Ukraine continues.

“I wish Netflix would relaunch a campaign for the film. The great lesson we see with Winter on Fire is that Ukraine can stand for their beliefs and unite against their enemies,” the director said. “What we see in the movie is that they were able to achieve change within their government when they are united. If Putin allows Ukraine to win this situation and the U.S. still supports them, that’s a bad sign for his presidency. It means this can happen to him as well.” 

When was Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom filmed?

Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom was filmed back in 2013 and 2014. In the latter half of filming, Putin was able to overtake part of Ukraine, Crimea, due to the nation’s perilous state after the Euromaiden protests. That leaves us where we’re at today.

In 2016, Winter on Fire actually earned one of Netflix its first Oscar nominations for Best Feature Documentary.

Where is Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom streaming? How to watch Winter on Fire:

Winter on Fire is streaming exclusively on Netflix. Head over to the platform to stream it now and get a primer on some of the early conflicts that led to the world’s current situation.

Stream Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom on Netflix