As the war in Ukraine intensifies, a powerful new documentary brings the conflict’s human toll into sharp focus. On this week’s episode of KVNF’s Local Motion, host Brody Wilson speaks with Ridgeway-based filmmaker Jordan Campbell about his film Ukraine Under Fire—a gripping and deeply personal account of the war, told through the voices of those living it.
The film follows Ukrainian journalist Olga Butko, who stayed in Kyiv to report the news even as missiles rained down, and Peter Fouché, a frontline medic who risked everything to save lives near the zero line. Campbell’s documentary is rooted in first-hand experience: he embedded in Ukraine four times, filming in bombed cities, military hospitals, and homes like Olga’s childhood apartment in Kharkiv. One of the film’s most emotional scenes captures Olga in tears as she returns to that apartment for the first time since the war began—a moment the filmmakers chose to leave unfiltered.
Campbell’s journey began with a phone call on the first day of the invasion, when his friend Iryna Karagan told him she was staying in Kyiv and preparing Molotov cocktails. Within 24 hours, Campbell had booked a flight to Europe. That decision sparked years of travel, reporting, and ultimately, the creation of Ukraine Under Fire.
The film weaves together scenes of personal loss with broader reflections on Ukraine’s fight for democracy. Cardiologist Igor Polivenok, another subject in the film, speaks about the stakes: “It’s not just a war for Ukraine’s independence—it’s a war for democratic values.”
Campbell doesn’t shy away from documenting the horrors of war. One major thread in the film focuses on war crimes, including the use of banned cluster munitions in civilian areas and the deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children into Russia. Campbell is now collaborating with international prosecutors and Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice to further investigate these crimes.
Despite the bleak subject matter, the film ends with a powerful message. “Everything what is going on here from our side is about love,” says Olga. “We are fighting because we love our country. We are fighting because we love our families.”
Though international in scope, Ukraine Under Fire is also a local story. The film was funded in large part by grassroots donations from Ridgeway, Montrose, Ouray, and Telluride. The film had its world premiere in Washington, D.C. and was endorsed by the Ukrainian Embassy, which plans to use it in diplomatic missions worldwide.
Ukraine Under Fire screens next at the Ouray Film Festival on Friday, June 20th at 3:00 p.m. at the Wright Opera House. For more information, visit ourayfilmfestival.com.
