Sentsov: I think the unappealing side of the war should be reported

Oleh Sentsov. Photo from his Facebook / BBC

Director, soldier Oleh Sentsov believes that the society needs to see the unappealing side of the war, yet some healthy extent of propaganda and self-censorship are necessary in wartime.

He said this in an interview with the BBC after returning from the 58th International Film Festival in Karlovy Vary, where he presented his documentary "Real", which shows a battle in Ukraine's south fought by his company in the separate mechanized brigade No. 47.

"We showed maximum truth about the war, including to those who will go fight in it, so that they understand what lies ahead. Some people film very heroic videos. It's good for morale. But then people come to the army expecting to fight pathetic rookies while themselves being heroes defeating everybody," said Sentsov.

He added that such people start "slipping" psychologically as soon as they face their first difficult situation, because they were unprepared for it.

"I don't watch the telethon. But I know that everything is framed as good news there. Such 'news' won't get you far. I believe that the unappealing side of the war should be reported. I do not think that this will scare anyone away from enlisting. Whoever wants to enlist will go and enlist. These people worry that the training and command may be poor, that they will be immediately thrown into battle. It is necessary to explain that 90% of war is routine," Oleh Sentsov noted.

At the same time, he adds, there must be some healthy propaganda and self-censorship in wartime.

"You can't say things that will benefit the enemy. Besides, if people found out the whole truth about how the war is going in our country right now, they would be horrified," said Sentsov.

He also said that in the third year of the war, the Ukrainian army remains predominantly Soviet in terms of management style. The soldiers are often afraid to tell the truth to their commanders, reporting only "good news."

Oleh Sentsov and 34 other Ukrainians arrived back in Ukraine on September 7, 2019, after being imprisoned by Russia. In 2015, the North Caucasus District Military Court of the Russian Federation sentenced Oleh Sentsov to 20 years in prison on terrorism charges.

In the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion, Sentsov joined the Kyiv territorial defense, then fought in the hottest areas of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts.

He was wounded several times at the front: on July 8, 2023, when he suffered a concussion during the UAF counteroffensive, and on October 19, 2023, when he received a shrapnel wound to the side.