Many pro-Ukraine westerners (but not all) are quick to denounce Russian-Canadian documentarian Anastasia Trofimova’s new film “Russians at War,” which is currently making its way around the film festival circuit.

TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey said “hundreds” of threats against staff led to the festival's unprecedented decision to pull Anastasia Trofimova’s controversial documentary.

The documentary focuses on front-line Russian troops in Ukraine. Screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival drew concerns from Canadian officials.

The anti-war documentary Russians at War screened yesterday at the TIFF Lightbox theater after the Toronto International Film Festival paused screenings due to “significant threats” last week over the Anastasia Trofimova directed film.

The documentary “Russians at War” has sparked controversy since its debut on the festival circuit, with many accusing it of whitewashing Russian soldiers and their crimes in Ukraine. Canadian-Russian director Anastasia Trofimova has defended the film,

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) faced backlash from Ukrainian Canadians for including a documentary about Russian soldiers in Ukraine, criticized as propaganda. Despite initial refusal,

The film Russians at War by Russian director Anastasia Trofimova, which caused widespread protests in Ukrainian society, is to be shown at the Zurich Film Festival. This decision was condemned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry in its statement highlighted its firm stance against any efforts to legitimize Russia’s aggression through cultural mediums, especially while the war is ongoing. The ministry vowed to continue diplomatic efforts to ensure Russia remains isolated not only in cultural spheres but in all aspects of international relations.