The Invasion

The Invasion is a documentary that examines the effects of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. It focuses on the experiences of the civilian population across the country, documenting how people maintain their daily lives amidst war. The film observes various scenes of survival, including children attending school in bomb shelters, the use of fire hydrants for water in Mykolajiw, and the training of young women in Lwiw. It portrays the intersection of ordinary milestones, such as births and weddings, with the realities of air raid sirens, funerals, and the rehabilitation of injured people.

Directed and written by Sergei Loznitsa, the film was produced by several companies across countries including Ukraine, France, the Netherlands, and the United States. In the chronological progression of Loznitsa's work, this project follows A Night at the Opera and precedes Two Prosecutors, Champ de Mars, and Imperium. The production was a collaboration with producers Maria Choustova and Loznitsa himself. Released on February 20, 2025, the film has a runtime of 140 minutes. It serves as the second part of a diptych regarding Ukraine, following the director's previous work on the Maidan events.