It's crazy that you can see, you can clearly see... the sky, but you know
that that airspace is in Ukraine and there is a w*r going on.
You know, Ukraine is at w*r with Russia.
expl*si*n
You know, I think if someone says 25 years after I left
the army that I will be in an active w*r zone in Europe
on a NATO border, then I would never believe that.
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched airstrikes in Ukraine.
A full-scale land invasion followed.
It was a massive escalation of an armed conflict
which has been going on since 2014.
And after seven million civilians fled the country
this led to the largest refugee crisis in Europe
since World w*r II.
BABY CRYING
President Volodymyr Zelensky, became known
around the world as the face of this w*r.
He was the unifying force for people, he refused to leave yet
not even when his life was in danger.
I am traveling to Ukraine to interview the president.
President Zelensky asked me to
to meet him and talk to him.
Obviously a real privilege.
But I think ultimately I.. what I really want to find is
to find out what he is like, a little further away
away from the podium.
And to see what it really is in Ukraine at the moment.
And what people, people go through.
I served with the British and lived a life
working for survival.
But now I will learn from the Ukrainians what it takes to
to survive in a w*r zone.
THE PHONE IS RINGING.
Here we are guys.
Bruce. So Bruce is one of our team members who
a member of our security team who has been to the country before.
He's been there for a few days to prepare things and make sure
to have everything ready.
But he wants me to give him a little update, we'll see what he says.
So we just had a piece of information through our intelligence sources.
I'm afraid the picture isn't very good.
It seems that Kiev may be att*cked in the next 24 hours - missiles may hit Kiev,
so it doesn't look very good.
Who gives you an update?
How accurate do you think this type of information is? This...
comes from government sources.
It's from a pretty high level.
So, let's hope that doesn't happen.
But you know, it's better to be prepared.
OKAY OKAY. Thanks, Bruce. Nice work. Take care of yourself.
OKAY OKAY. Take care of yourself and your health, my friend. Goodbye, buddy.
So guys, I think it definitely... it changes the dynamic a little bit.
If we have the m*ssile attack we will have it today.
Which is definitely a little worrying.
Ukrainian airspace is currently closed.
So after we flew into Poland, I drove 950 km
To Kiev, the capital. to the capital of Ukraine.
I cannot travel during curfew,
so I'm staying here tonight. I will stay in the city of Lviv.
But first I have to cross the border.
Okay, so we're approaching the limit, the all-deciding letter
from the office of the president, which consists of we invite you to be here
and then a so-called Faraday case, which is basically an enclosed thing
which blocks all mobile phone signals.
So guys, the phones have to be put in these and it blocks it
the signs, so there will be no clue as to who is coming
to and from the country, that's what they asked us to do.
So the phones are included.
Okay, here we are.
Well, team, we are in Ukraine.
Well, whatever happens, guys, in the next three days, mainly
take care of yourselves, cover each other
and we get in and get out done and safe.
OKAY OKAY. Time to meet our interpreter at this gas station.
If all goes according to plan.
Hello! Hello!
How are you? Are you okay?
Hello. Hello.
So soon at the beginning of my journey
and there are already t*nk traps and sandbags, strong reminders
to the ongoing conflict.
It must have been scary at the start of the w*r.
And how have you been lately? In the last year?
Indeed? Yes. Yes Yes.
Has everyone lost their friends?
Yes Yes Yes. Very hard.
Always.
So this is a clip that they just made on Twitter that says
we know that t*rrorists are preparing for new att*cks and until
as long as they have missiles, they won't stop.
Our mutual assistance is one of the great elements of protection
and this is our great strength.
Yeah, I mean, he does it every night and he does it incredibly well
and inspiring and the nation needs it.
Russia began a new tactic in the w*r.
Just last week, rockets hit cities across the country
and drones att*cked Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
This causes continuous power outages and heating failure
in people's homes
as winter approaches.
Before meeting with the president tomorrow, I want to see it firsthand
the devastating effects of w*r. Its effects on the country.
On the way to Kyiv
I stop in the area. Around the town of Irpin.
This became his front line
of the fighting in the week of the early conflict.
Putin's invasion of Ukraine has begun, Russian paratroopers stormed it
the strategically important Hostomel airport.
Which is only 15 km from Kiev.
They attempted to capture the capital and tried to remove it
President Zelensky from power.
Russian forces att*cked the surrounding towns,
Bucha and Irpin cities.
After a month of fierce fighting, he repulsed the Russians
the Ukrainian army and local volunteers.
But this came at a cost on both sides of the conflict.
Bad things happened here.
These buildings and windows were shot out.
The roofs are gone.
Burned out.
Broke down.
Welcome to the Russian occupation.
Wow. Look at this.
So much destruction.
It's so crazy.
DOG BARKING
Entire blocks of flats were razed to the ground.
Probably all such buildings were occupied by people.
It's like ground zero, wherever you look.
It's hard to imagine how this affects people
in Ukraine and how this country is being rebuilt
once the conflict ends.
I arrive in Kiev, the capital. To Ukraine, the final destination
on my way to a meeting with the president
the w*r is still raging on the eastern front.
undefined
Despite power outages and the constant threat of missiles
life in the city somehow goes on.
For the residents, it is difficult to get rid of the memories of the w*r as a reminder.
Wow. Quite a symbol, isn't it?
Old Russian tanks burned out.
Ready.
Wow.
First of all. Nice work.
We are all alive.
The predicted rockets did not come on Monday.
They didn't come on Tuesday.
And today is Wednesday, the last day they are expected to come.
So, let's not get complacent, but here we are.
The whole plan is on.
And now, Scotty, we need to go over security stuff.
Scotty. Alright guys, this is our operational briefing for today.
In the past week, according to intelligence, his chances just kept getting bigger and bigger
...they suggest that some... att*cks are coming.
Missiles, drones or maybe bombs.
Well, it grew even more, grew even more.
We can expect an imminent attack in the next 12 hours.
So increased awareness is essential.
Today we carry all our equipment with us.
This is our PPE, okay? Our helmets. in the vehicle, our vests, of course...
...in the vehicle to be able to react to any blow. It stays in the vehicle
and make sure everyone has their first aid kit,
he puts his trauma kit in his backpack.
The biggest thing is situational awareness.
This is a w*r zone.
Stay tuned. Stay alert.
I'm happy. I'm ready to go.
Let's do it, team, let's do it!
Okay, let's go.
It's strange to be in a city with rocket att*cks
they can come anytime.
Not like next week, but today.
We just have to get through the next few hours.
I'm definitely worried.
I've had the pleasure of interviewing some amazing people over the years
from the sitting US President to the Prime Minister of India.
But I think this is different.
You are in an active w*r zone.
You're with someone who is probably the wildest person on the planet.
By the most terrifying regime on the planet.
And even as we were planning this, the government guy said Bear!..
We really want to do this
but there is no guarantee.
We've reached the checkpoint
where there are guards, the presidential district.
It's here too.
THE SOLDIER SPEAKS.
Yeah. OKAY OKAY.
Okay, let's stop, let's stop filming for a second.
In order to see Zelenskyi, we have to go through several security checks.
The president is the main target, the prime target of assassinations
therefore, it is protected by a large military presence.
What's that? What are you taking with you?
Anti-drone.
I guess you know you're super vulnerable, right?
A drone enters.
Let's hope we don't get any of it.
We go for a walk in the city to see the president
can show how people live, how they cope with this conflict.
But I also want to know how it affects him.
THEY ARE CRYING FOR AN ANSWER
Volodymyr Zelensky was not always the leader of a nation at w*r.
His life began quite differently.
He worked as a comedy actor, Zelensky even appeared on television,
in a series where he played a teacher who suddenly
becomes president.
In 2019, he decided to run for the real presidency of Ukraine.
And he won a landslide victory.
Welcome, sir. You're welcome, Bear.
Thanks. Thanks. Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you. It's an honor to be here.
Thank you for coming. Thank you very much.
You were very busy this morning, weren't you? Yes Yes.
Not only that.
Yes, this is it. Every day. Every day.
Very busy, yes. It does not matter. But still... We're all busy,
but we have to find time.
Of course. Of course. Well, thank you.
Well, I guess the plan was to walk around a bit?
We can walk. I love walking.
Yes Yes Yes. Yes, because with guests like you
I have the opportunity to walk.
Very good. Because I know we got a warning
that m*ssile strikes are expected. against Kiev in the last few days.
So... Maybe today, maybe tomorrow
You know, our neighbors (if we can use that word
for these persons)
so it can be any day, any day whenever they want and we are ready.
First, people are ready.
This is the most important thing.
And do you live day by day?
We live for the future, for the future. Not from day to day, but for the future.
We really believe in our victory. Yes.
And that's why we live.
Shall we continue on this path? Yes, on this one.
OKAY OKAY.
How many days have you been here?
It was a long journey.
It was a long journey. Yes Yes.
And we arrived in Kiev last night.
Yeah, so two days ago.
So what were you like growing up as a little kid?
I think like all children just maybe with a little more strength
and faster, because I always ran so as not to waste time.
Yes, this is it. So you're always on the move.
Always on the move, yes.
Is this your, this character of yours still like...? I think yes.
Yes. I think yes.
And what was your childhood dream?
Did you have a dream, a job?
I think I had a different dream every morning.
But didn't you want to be an actor as a child?
No. No. No. No. Indeed? No no no.
So, Olena, you met him when you were young?
Yes, when we were 17.
We love each other.
I think my wife, I think my best friend.
I read that you were upset when you made your decision
that you are running for president. Yes.
He said, "Really?"
Yes. He didn't want to...
he understood that our family's life would not be the same
as before. Hmm.
Do you see your family a little, or is that impossible?
Sometimes. For example, yes, four, six hours to be with them...
That's so little. This is so hard for you.
It is very difficult for my son. It is very difficult for my son.
Because you know, at this age.
Ah... And how old are you now? Nine years old.
Nine. So it's hard for him, yes.
This is a very difficult situation because he needs a father.
Yes, this is it. And now there is not enough...
...pretty hot moment. Yes, this is it.
What do you say to him?
How do you explain the situation?
He's in soldier form.
Indeed? Yes. He loves it. Indeed?
Oh yes.
That's all... It's ready.
...always ready.
This w*r changed our people and our children.
Yes, this is it. They are not children. They are adults.
For children across the country,
they had to grow up, they had to grow up fast.
Yes. And our children.
He grew up very quickly.
Indeed.
My son, you know, told me that... that I'm strong, I'm fine.
Do your thing.
Yes. But at this moment, you see, you know
one...
HE SPEAKS UKRAINIAN
And you see it with your son's eyes.
And you understand that he is a child. Hmm.
Yes Yes Yes.
Yes Yes Yes. We're going. We're going.
Across the country, Ukrainians had to adapt to a new way
since the beginning of the conflict.
Stores try to stay open when the power is out.
Even surgeries are carried out by torchlight.
GROWL
People don't give up despite losing so many loved ones.
While I was in Kiev, I wanted to know how the citizens live there.
That's how flexible they can be in these uncertain times.
That's why I met local resident Elina Polyakova.
Hi Elina. Hi Elina. I'm glad to meet you. How are you?
This is going to be fine. I'm glad to see you.
Your hands are so warm. Yes, good, good.
You survive...
...the sub-freezing Kiev?
Are you okay? Yes.
Elina works in the city, working as a journalist about the w*r.
Even if there were rockets coming any minute,
it feels like, you know, like there are cars on the street.
Everyone is trying to live, to live a normal life.
But the threat is still there, and the blackouts.
What is everyday life like in Kiev now, perhaps in comparison
east?
Well, in Kiev we have theaters... open.
There are concerts every night.
Even with candles, you know, the bars are open.
We have different restaurants.
They buy generators.
If there is no electricity in my home, I can go to the nearest coffee shop
and I can work from there.
So it's about community.
It only makes us stronger.
Putin is trying to break everyone with the bombing,
but really it just brings people together. That's right?
Yes, I think he thought that with these bombs,
that he will win with these blackouts.
But we are a free country.
We are a democratic country and we want our freedom.
There is an air defense siren going off.
And then what happens if there is an air raid siren now?
Well, I think it's nothing... because people get used to it.
I only go to the shelter when I hear explosions.
We just understand that if I... were to die today, I would die today.
Like trusting fate? Yes. Exactly like this.
Because it's hard to be afraid every minute of your life.
You are very brave, lady.
Thank you very much. Can we have a coffee? I see a cafe there.
Yes, it will be warmer there. Let's warm up, won't you?
Yes. Come on, let's go.
Hey, hey! This is going to be weird
to die in the car, you know, in Ukraine.
That would be bad.
Let's go! You are very law abiding.
I like that, Elina.
HE LAUGHS.
Elina's family lives only 20 km from the current front line.
Tell me, tell me about your trip.
What happened to you?
At the beginning of the w*r, my father left, joined the armed forces
to the Ukrainian forces.
He was 56 years old, but he decided to defend his country.
Because everything he did. he did it for me, for his children,
for the next generation.
Him and his two colleagues
was blown up at the shaft.
And his colleagues told my mother that he was 99% dead.
and 1% that he is a prisoner. Prisoner of w*r.
And he, I think, still still thinks he's a prisoner.
And he hopes that after the w*r, he will come home.
But there's no way he'll be alive.
I'm so sorry, Elina.
Tell me your full name.
Ihor Poljakov.
He and mom asked about the grandchildren.
HE...
He will never be a grandfather.
I'm so sorry, Elina.
Losing, losing your father is so hard.
I also lost my father when I was younger, and you know, his presence
he never left me.
Your father never left me. It never leaves your shoulder.
I hope so.
I shouldn't cry.
I promised myself I wouldn't cry.
You have to cry. Crying is so important.
Yes, this is it. We will cry
after our victory.
And those tears will be tears of happiness.
I hope so. I hope so.
Thanks. Thanks. What a lady you are.
What a lady.
Brave heart.
Elina is not alone.
There are tens, hundreds, thousands of people
across the country with similar stories.
Ordinary people who gave their all,
they gave their lives for their country, for their freedom,
for their family, their home.
You know, it's just... it's a country... that's on tears right now.
But this is also courage.
I mean, this past year has been like nothing you could have imagined.
If you go back to a year ago, a few months before the invasion,
did anyone ever imagine that the Russians would really invade the city?
There are people who really didn't believe in it
and even at the moment of full invasion
they didn't believe in him. Mm-um.
They really expected our people to run away,
everyone will run, the economy will collapse.
So that was their strategy.
Yes. And in the first few weeks, months...
You know, we were in Irpin, you know where they were,
On the outskirts of Kyiv. Yes.
But you were here.
I mean, it must have been a scary time for them.
I thought, "No, we have to be here
"join everyone, all people, to fight.
When the Westerners offered you to escape
and you came up with this sentence, "I need b*ll*ts, not a ride." -
It has become such a saying. How did you feel at the time?
Back then?
... It was weird for me, really.
I don't... I don't feel... that I'm a hero.
And now you speak to world leaders on the big stage every day.
Looking back on this year, what have you learned about how to deal with this?
at this level with people, people. between people, from country to country?
What did you learn?
First, that people are the same, society is the same.
It doesn't matter what language you speak.
You see the eyes and understand what's going on.
Does not matter. It doesn't matter what country you come from.
You like the same things.
You hate the same things, the same values. Yeah.
We love children.
We love our home.
And tell me some...
...about some of the horrors that Ukraine actually suffered
from the Russians.
Well, first of all, people really, really don't
HE SPEAKS UKRAINIAN. Let's wait...
Wait. Huh? I didn't expect it.
...I didn't expect humanity to be capable of this,
that they will come and just start k*lling.
And on this first day, they wanted it. They just wanted to k*ll.
After the Russians were pushed out of the cities
which were occupied, the true horrors of w*r were revealed.
In places like Bucha and Izium there were masses of unmarked graves,
signs of t*rture and traces of executions.
But there were other alleged crimes.
Children were r*ped.
They... They wanted mothers for fathers to see.
So it was terrible.
And it was really shocking.
And this... and there were so many wars... they're investigating w*r crimes now,
and the stories about the stories of children and prison camps.
People always ask, "How many people did the Russians k*ll?"
And I really say no one knows
because, uh, when we stop the occupation...
the new village, the new area where, for example, 1000 people
lived before the w*r
when you come there you see 20 people.
You don't know where they are. Some of them are gone, some of them,
especially children who were abducted...
deported.
And many people... Were children deported? Yes.
Where? To Russia? Thousands to Russia. Thousands?
What was it for you?
the darkest, most difficult moment
in the last nine months?
The hardest moment.
I think the first day.
How did the Ukrainian people react?
Great. It was a great honor.
How strong they are, how truly
when the Russians att*cked and the Russians thought
that if they attack us more and more, more and more,
our people will be shocked. and they will be afraid.
But this... the result was the opposite.
Indeed? The more they fight, the more they attack us,
the stronger our people are. And we got stronger and stronger. Yes.
On the first day of the w*r,
was afraid that the Ukrainian army
will not be strong enough to hold back the Russians.
So President Zelensky imposed martial law, banning men
For those aged between 18 and 60 to leave the country.
Until they were forced to,
many volunteered for the armed forces...
...and began training to learn how to fight.
I wanted to hear first hand from the citizens
who joined the army.
So yesterday, while I was in Irpin, I met a soldier.
I think he's at the end. Do you see him?
Olexander fought in the early battles
which took place in his hometown.
Hi Olexander. Hi, Oleksandr.
How are you? I'm glad to see you.
Are you okay? Well. Are you okay? Yes. Thanks.
Was this... was this your home?
This was my home.
It was destroyed... by the Russians.
Yes, but now we are trying to rebuild it.
And you guys, were you at home when it was bombed?
No, I wasn't there to save our city from the invaders.
What happened during those weeks?
So this whole area was the front line?
Yes. Yes Yes. Like the front line. Incredible.
So on the first day of the w*r, you were already a soldier before that,
or did you start on the day of the w*r?
It is amazing that a country was mobilized overnight,
and they give you weapons and ask you to fight.
And you have to figure out what to do. Yes. Yes Yes.
This is amazing. Well, you're a scout.
Yes, this is it. Yes Yes. Amazing.
My whole family is scouts. Yes. I have two children. Yes.
As the Chief Ambassador for Scouting in the World,
it is always a great honor for me to meet a fellow scout.
And how is your family now?
So now he's back in town?
Yes Yes Yes. Yes, it's here now.
Can we meet... can we meet him?
I think yes. Yes? - Yes. Yes Yes.
We can go? We can do it today.
My son, his name is Adrian.
Adrian. Adrian. My daughter, she is also a Girl Scout.
And is he here?
He is 12 years old and now, he is with my grandmother.
OKAY OKAY. Yes. Great.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
Hello. I'm glad to meet you. Are you okay?
Yes. hey who is this Adrian?
Well, you're a scout. You can give a left handshake.
Nice work. Nice work. Everything is alright?
Are you staying warm?
When did you come here? back to ukraine?
At the end of May. At the end of May. Yes.
And why did you come back?
Um, that's really hard. to live abroad.
I want to live here.
And are you glad you came back?
Such as...
the new puzzle of your life because your friends, your family,
your life, your home, everything is destroyed. Um.
And now...
To rebuild. To rebuild. Yes.
And how are your kids...
how did they react to everything?
First reaction, I guess. it was the shock.
And for our daughter, it was very difficult because she found out.
that his father...
...is alive. but maybe...
...tomorrow. Tomorrow too.
What do you say to Adrian. about life?
What's happening? How do you explain it?
And it's hard... it's hard to explain.
Do you think Ukraine can win this?
Yes. We have no other choice.
I think you guys are amazing.
I have a little present for you.
When we walk around here, I always take it with me...
something from the scouts.
Because you never know when you will meet us.
It was a surprise for you! Yes, yes, it was a surprise.
Yes, but I always, always have one.
And this one I have is the latest Boy Scout badge.
Hmm! And this is yours, guys, because it's a badge that can never be given up.
Which is you. Which is you.
Which is Adrian. Adrian. Yes?
OKAY OKAY. Here you go, Adrian.
There you go. This is yours. Your never-give-up scout badge.
You deserved it. You deserved it.
Thanks. Thanks. Yes thank you.
MOM WHISPERS TO ADRIAN
Thank you for coming.
I also have a little gift for you.
I love it! Victory! Victory tea. All Englishmen love tea!
I will drink it with pride. Thanks guys.
Family is everything, huh?
As of November,
military counterattacks helped Ukraine regain half the country
From Russia
but at a heavy price.
Cities besieged for months have now been liberated,
returned to the Ukrainian people.
FLOWERS CHANGE
But now that Ukraine is reclaiming the land
how do you do this
I have to. We don't, you know, we don't have any other options
and we don't want there to be a way out.
And we don't want to live with their flag.
We protect everything, we love it.
They don't like it. They hate it.
And, er, it was never their country,
they never had the land.
I met a lady yesterday...
Here? Yes, and he...
Her husband was a businessman.
He became a soldier on February 24.
She goes to Italy with her children and has just come back.
He says "I want to... I want to be here".
You know, some of my friends and their wives
they were gone from the start of the whole invasion.
They... they all came back.
Well, I think I learned that in these few days
here to...
..the Ukrainians love Ukraine. They love Ukraine very much.
And that has its own power.
It really saved Ukraine.
Yes, this is it. This is the attitude towards the country, the attitude of the people.
But now that Russia is losing,
now they target the civilian population. Civil infrastructure.
You know, we are now entering the Ukrainian winter.
Snow on the ground, minus five degrees. It will be cold.
Hard.
It's really hard to live without electricity.
And because of them for taking away access to the energy grid
you will live without electricity and water.
Lots of challenges this winter, that's... my opinion.
I think winter is the second part of this w*r.
Survive the winter? Yes, survive the winter.
It's a really, really hard time.
And it will be hard and all our people are ready.
But we will see, because we know that Russia will not stop.
Winter survival is hard.
Yes, but only for three months.
Only three months? There you go. You're right.
Beautiful park. Great park. You know...do you walk like this a lot?
No no no no. I do not...
That's good, right?
PRESIDENT ZELENSKY CHUCKLES
Winter survival. Winter survival.
You know, the best survival advice I've ever gotten
in the winter to stay together. One plus one
equals five, you know? You're right. Hold each other.
So the government is using these warming...
Is this one of the warming stations?
Yes, one, this one is one small.
We usually open them very quickly. in schools,
in kitchen gardens or universities, you know, any public place.
Because of the endless conflict
shelters were set up across the country to provide warmth
and electricity for people who don't have it.
I love it. Let's see.
OKAY OKAY.
THE PRESIDENT GREETS THE PEOPLE
Wow, that's the heat, yes.
Everyone can come and charge their gadgets.
Get some tea and coffee.
The Russians were really looking forward to the first days when the temperature
there will be minuses. 78 rocket att*cks in two hours.
78, what? Cruiser missiles and... Cruiser missiles.
Wow! In two hours? As soon as the temperature dropped?
Again.
Mr. President, I think so. we should have a coffee.
There is. Mr. President, one for you. Thank you very much.
And then, come on, let's go out because
It's good to be in the fresh air.
There's a man here, as you know, he... doesn't go outside enough.
He is the most protected person.
And this is good. Come on, come on. WELL.
HE GREETS THE PEOPLE
Hey, I have something... for you.
There you go. There you go. Take this.
Come on, come on! Who doesn't love chocolate?
Okay, this is mine.
It's wonderful to see...
to see people come together.
It's like the harder you hit them, the tighter your people become.
People never...
...they never thought, I think, that they might be att*cked
from the sky, you know, in the 21st century.
It's a tragedy.
But whatever, people are ready.
But what is needed for peace? in Ukraine?
What does it take? For peace?
What we need from the list of many.
And do you feel that peace will come?
can you come Possible?
I don't think he will come because... because he will come.
You have to work for peace.
You must fight for peace.
This is really the case.
You have to fight to win.
But when Putin is not feeling strong,
when they will feel that they are alone then
peace will come.
Thank you very much. Honor. Honor. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much. Max, I... I promise you would still be alive!
He is still alive. This is good.
I'm fine. Thanks guys, everyone - thanks a lot.
Take care. Thanks guys. All the best.
Well, the president just left.
What an incredible person!
You know - gentle, smart,
a real visionary, you know, determined and determined.
But, er, it also reminds me that whoever you are,
President, you know, everyone is just an average person trying
to live their lives and bring out the best in themselves.
Trying to protect their family
take care of their home,
follow their dreams
...and they fight for things.
And it's a kind of beautiful freedom that
none of us should take it for granted.
This is what this country is fighting for. What Zelenskyy is fighting for.
For me, it is a privilege to walk - to walk a little beside him,
to hear his story.
w*r Zone: Bear Grylls meets President Zelenskyy (2023)
Moderator: Maskath3