这部纪录片讲述了记者Sean Langan (肖恩·兰根)在俄罗斯对乌克兰战争期间深入俄罗斯占领的乌克兰东部地区（Donbas region，顿巴斯地区）进行报道的经历。
背景：部分动员与乌克兰反攻 (1:49-2:03): 弗拉基米尔·普京 (Vladimir Putin) 下令对俄罗斯军队进行部分动员，以应对乌克兰在该国东北部发动的反攻，这次反攻给俄罗斯军队造成了重大损失。普京同时警告西方不要干预乌克兰。
记者进入顿巴斯地区 (2:05-2:42): 几周后，肖恩·兰根抵达俄罗斯，开始了他的报道。他从莫斯科出发，前往顿巴斯地区，该地区处于严格的媒体封锁状态，他形容其如同“月球的阴暗面”。 他聘请了一名来自顿涅茨克 (Donetsk)的当地翻译兼助手萨莎 (Sasha)。萨莎为了方便通行，在车上贴上了“Z”字标志。
顿涅茨克的经历 (3:49-5:41): 肖恩·兰根在顿涅茨克的第一个晚上经历了持续不断的炮击和火箭弹袭击。他了解到，当地人认为2022年普京的入侵是2014年顿巴斯战争的延续。
与萨莎的关系与顿巴斯生活 (6:33-7:02): 肖恩·兰根和萨莎逐渐建立信任，萨莎向他展示了顿巴斯地区复杂的生活状况，并表达了他对祖国的热爱以及对俄罗斯的忠诚。
顿涅茨克平民生活 (7:39-11:54): 肖恩·兰根采访了顿涅茨克的平民，他们描述了战争带来的恐惧和生活不便，许多人害怕进入市中心。 一位名叫尤利娅 (Yulia)的年轻女子，尼娜 (Nina) 的孙女，向他表达了战争的疲惫与无奈。
嵌入当地部队 (12:01-13:02): 萨莎安排肖恩·兰根嵌入当地部队，这支部队原属于顿涅茨克人民共和国 (Donetsk Peoples’ Republic)，自2014年以来一直在战斗，现在是俄罗斯军队的一部分。
瓦格纳集团 (13:26-14:27): 肖恩·兰根了解到，一些亲俄战士曾参与瓦格纳集团 (Wagner group)，这个组织在2014年支持顿巴斯分离主义者的战争中发挥了作用。他采访到一名士兵，该士兵曾参与过基辅附近的战斗，但这名士兵否认了乌克兰军队的说法。
战争罪行 (14:45-15:28): 肖恩·兰根了解到布查 (Bucha) 发生的战争罪行，联合国记录了至少73起平民被非法杀害和处决的事件。但由于时机和地点不合适，他未能深入调查。
前往前线 (15:31-16:44): 当地士兵带肖恩·兰根前往距离他们不到两公里的前线战壕，肖恩亲眼目睹了战争的残酷。
乌克兰的反攻与俄罗斯军队的溃败 (19:32-20:12): 纪录片解释了在肖恩抵达顿涅茨克之前，乌克兰军队在哈尔科夫 (Kharkiv)附近发起了闪电式反攻，导致俄罗斯军队在伊久姆 (Izium)和莱曼 (Lyman)溃败。根据西方的报道，乌克兰似乎正在赢得战争。
在斯瓦托夫 (Svatove) 的遭遇 (20:57-23:10): 肖恩·兰根第一次接触到俄罗斯部队和坦克，并目睹了乌克兰的炮击。在斯瓦托夫，他遇到了疲惫的俄罗斯士兵，其中包括一名19岁的士兵Irham (伊尔哈姆)。他们谈到了伊久姆的激烈战斗以及人员的损失。
信息控制与真相 (23:18-25:04): 肖恩·兰根意识到，尽管努力，但获取真相仍然受到控制，他采访的一名俄罗斯士兵的评论后来被俄罗斯电视台的记者从报道中删除。
缴获的武器 (25:54-27:14): 肖恩·兰根和萨莎看到了俄罗斯士兵缴获的北约武器，但随后遭遇了俄罗斯特种部队Spetsnaz的突然出现，并受到了他们的盘问。
克雷明纳 (Kreminna) 的前线部队 (29:13-32:08): 肖恩·兰根在克雷明纳的一个前线作战基地采访了俄罗斯士兵，他们表达了对西方不理解他们一方的委屈，以及战争中俄罗斯和乌克兰作为邻居和家庭成员的复杂关系。
顿涅茨克的围城 (32:59-34:20): 肖恩·兰根再次强调顿涅茨克作为前线城市所面临的困境， 并与一位亲克里姆林宫的军事博主一同前往观察乌克兰前线。 他们坚称自己并非怪物，而是在保卫自己的人民。
前线村庄与撤离点 (40:05-42:15): 肖恩·兰根前往泽连斯基形容为“人间地狱”的前线村庄，在契卡洛夫医院 (Chkalov Hospital)目睹了战争造成的伤亡，并与一位来自新西伯利亚 (Novosibirsk)的医生交谈。他们前往医务人员的撤离点。
舍伍德森林 (Sherwood Forest) 的战斗 (42:20-48:30): 肖恩·兰根跟随俄罗斯军队前往舍伍德森林（乌克兰人长期占据的一个阵地），亲身经历了激烈的战斗并目睹了战争的残酷景象，包括大量弹药、废弃装备、尸体和遍布地雷的森林。他意识到这场战争对双方造成的巨大损失。
战争的总结 (50:21-51:13): 纪录片总结了战争的僵局以及西方对援助的讨论。 俄罗斯未能征服基辅，入侵反而加强了乌克兰的民族认同感。肖恩·兰根对未来战争的走向和士兵们的信仰表达了担忧。
This documentary follows journalist Sean Langan's journey reporting from the Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine (Donbas region) during the war.
Background: Partial Mobilization and Ukrainian Counteroffensive (1:49-2:03): Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilization of the Russian military in response to a significant Ukrainian counteroffensive in the northeast, resulting in substantial setbacks for Russian forces. Putin also warned the West against intervening in Ukraine.
Journalist Enters Donbas (2:05-2:42): Weeks later, Sean Langan arrived in Russia and began his reporting journey. He traveled from Moscow to the Donbas region, describing it as being under a strict media blackout, like "the dark side of the moon". He hired a local fixer and translator from Donetsk, Sasha. Sasha placed a "Z" on their car for easier passage through checkpoints.
Experiences in Donetsk (3:49-5:41): Langan experienced constant shelling and rocket fire during his first night in Donetsk. He learned that locals viewed Putin's 2022 invasion as a continuation of the war that began in Donbas in 2014.
Relationship with Sasha and Donbas Life (6:33-7:02): Langan and Sasha developed a rapport, with Sasha showcasing the complexities of life in Donbas and expressing his love for his country while remaining loyal to Russia.
Civilian Life in Donetsk (7:39-11:54): Langan interviewed civilians, who described fear and inconvenience caused by the war, with many afraid to go downtown. Yulia, Nina's granddaughter, expressed war weariness and hopelessness.
Embedding with Local Forces (12:01-13:02): Sasha arranged for Langan to embed with local forces, formerly part of the Donetsk People's Republic, fighting since 2014 and now integrated into the Russian army.
Wagner Group (13:26-14:27): Langan learned about the involvement of some pro-Russian fighters with the Wagner Group, a paramilitary organization active since 2014. He interviewed a soldier who fought near Kyiv but denied claims made by the Ukrainian military.
War Crimes (14:45-15:28): Langan learned about the war crimes in Bucha, with the UN documenting at least 73 cases of unlawful killings and executions of civilians. He deemed it inappropriate to investigate war crimes at that moment.
Trip to the Frontline (15:31-16:44): Soldiers took Langan to the trenches less than two kilometers away, exposing him to the harsh reality of war.
Ukrainian Counteroffensive and Russian Defeat (19:32-20:12): The documentary highlighted a lightning Ukrainian counteroffensive near Kharkiv that resulted in a Russian rout in Izium and Lyman. Western reports suggested Ukraine was winning.
Encounter in Svatove (20:57-23:10): Langan's first encounter with Russian troops and tanks included witnessing Ukrainian shelling. In Svatove, he met exhausted Russian soldiers, including a 19-year-old named Irham. They discussed the intense fighting in Izium and their losses.
Information Control and the Truth (23:18-25:04): Despite efforts, Langan found truth-gathering challenging; a Russian soldier's comments were later removed from a Russian TV report.
Captured Weapons (25:54-27:14): Langan and Sasha saw captured NATO weapons. This was followed by an unexpected encounter and questioning by Russian Spetsnaz special forces.
Frontline Troops in Kreminna (29:13-32:08): Langan interviewed Russian soldiers at a forward operating base in Kreminna, who expressed resentment about the West not understanding their perspective and highlighted the complexities of the Russia-Ukraine relationship as neighbors and families.
Donetsk Under Siege (32:59-34:20): Langan reiterated Donetsk's status as a frontline city under siege. He accompanied a pro-Kremlin military blogger to view Ukrainian lines and heard their claims of defending their people.
Frontline Village and Evacuation Point (40:05-42:15): Langan visited a frontline village described as “hell on earth” by President Zelenskyy. He witnessed casualties at Chkalov Hospital and spoke to a doctor from Novosibirsk. They traveled to a medical evacuation point.
Battle of Sherwood Forest (42:20-48:30): Langan accompanied Russian forces to Sherwood Forest, experiencing intense fighting, observing widespread destruction, including unexploded ordinance, spent shells, abandoned equipment, and numerous dead bodies.
War Summary (50:21-51:13): The documentary summarized the war’s stalemate and Western debates over aid. Russia’s failure to take Kyiv strengthened Ukrainian national identity. Langan expressed concern over the war’s future and the soldiers’ faith in their cause.