Russian war documentary to be shown on Leiden University campus despite propaganda claim

The film Russians at War will be shown on Leiden University’s campus in The Hague on Wednesday despite widespread criticism. The film can also be seen on Thursday in the Grand Cafe Utopie in The Hague. The association behind the showing, the Vierde Golf, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Russians at War is a documentary made by Russian-Canadian journalist Anastasia Trofimova, in which she follows Russian soldiers on Ukrainian territory. The Ukrainian embassy called for the screening to be canceled as the film is considered to be pro-Russia.

The association said that the documentary is not pro-Russia, but anti-war. They called this criticism unwanted foreign interference. “Fortunately, Leiden University and Utopie have said that they will not succumb to the pressure, and so the screening will continue as planned,” said the Vierde Golf, who have said that they are showing the movie in an attempt to "expose war propaganda and to encourage free and open debate about the prevailing war narrative.”

The film festival Movies that Matter will also take place in The Hague this week. The festival decided against screening the documentary due to accusations of Russian propaganda.

A student organization for Eastern European students, ABBA, have organized a work shop for victim support on Wednesday night in protest. The work shop will be given by a Ukrainian soldier.