Quietly entering the country so as not to draw attention to himself, Boris travels beyond Kyiv in a 72-hour unprotected journey to the front line ‘kill zone’ near Zaporizhzhia, where drones, artillery and the realities of modern warfare quickly replace diplomacy and political rhetoric.
Boris witnesses the realities of modern war at close range. Embedded with Ukrainian soldiers, he visits shattered villages, a frontline chapel, secret drone bases and even a makeshift bomb factory hidden inside abandoned cottages, and shelters in an under-siege eighth story flat during a missile strike.
He joins mobile gun teams and Kyiv’s volunteer air defenders for a terrifying and freezing night shift protecting the capital from Russian drone attacks. With the part-time soldiers of the 112th Territorial Defence Brigade, he witnesses how mobile gun teams armed with heavy machine guns hunt drones in the night sky.
Guy Davies, Consultant Editor for Commissioning, 5: "Boris takes us on a traumatic and revelatory journey in this documentary. It is clearly a cause that is close to his heart and we see him in a new light - no longer looking at the war from the statesman's perspective, away from the frontline, but in the trenches and more able to speak freely."
Soho Studios’ Founder, Ian Lamarra said: “Seeing a recent British Prime Minister on the frontline of a conflict, with his life in genuine danger, is extremely powerful. I think this will be the talked about doc of the year and make worldwide headlines as it sells internationally.”
Two Rivers’ MD, Alan Clements said: "Two Rivers is really excited to be co-producing this important and remarkable premium feature documentary for 5 which will provide a unique and compelling view of the war in Ukraine".
Boris Johnson was determined to see the realities of this conflict on the front line. His and the crew’s access was secured in collaboration with Richard Pendlebury, the award-winning foreign correspondent at the Daily Mail.
Boris Johnson: Into the ‘Kill Zone’ (w/t) is a Soho Studios (a Pantheon Media Group Company) and Two Rivers Media production in Association with Daily Mail Originals. Distributed internationally by Sphere Abacus. Commissioned by Guy Davies, Consultant Editor for Commissioning, 5.
