Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has returned to Ukraine for a covert three-day visit to the front lines of the ongoing conflict with Russia, documenting his journey in a feature-length film produced by Daily Mail Originals. This documentary, based on exclusive footage, captures Johnson’s efforts to shed light on the harsh realities faced by Ukrainian forces amid Russia’s invasion.

Johnson, who previously stood alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his tenure as prime minister, reverted to his earlier role as a journalist for this mission. He traveled incognito into a heavily contested area near the besieged city of Zaporizhzhia, an industrial region that has seen intense fighting throughout the war. Accompanied by Daily Mail war correspondent Richard Pendlebury and other escorts, Johnson risked his safety in a landscape where journalists are targeted, noting that wearing a reporter’s distinctive blue helmet increased his risk of attack.

During his 72-hour visit, Johnson toured destroyed villages and abandoned homes, witnessing the devastation wrought by the conflict. He met with infantry soldiers entrenched on the front lines, elite teams operating drones from concealed locations, and personnel working in improvised bomb factories. The documentary highlights the significant personal toll the war has taken on Ukrainian fighters and their families amid what Johnson terms an illegal and treaty-violating invasion by Russian forces.

In a recent column, Johnson criticized the international response to the conflict, asserting that Western governments have fallen short in supporting Ukraine adequately. He emphasized that the same drones used by Russia against Ukrainian civilians are part of a broader campaign by authoritarian regimes, and expressed concern that Western pledges to assist Ukraine have not been met with sufficient action.

The documentary, which is the first production from the newly launched Daily Mail Originals in collaboration with Soho Studios, aims to bring greater global attention to Ukraine’s struggle and the resilience of its people. Johnson hopes the film will encourage continued and increased support from Western nations, highlighting the urgent need for aid amid ongoing hostilities.

The full uncut version of the documentary is available on the Daily Mail app and its YouTube channel, providing viewers with raw, firsthand footage from one of the most dangerous war zones in the world.