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

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.

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has revealed that “hundreds” of threats made against staff led to the festival taking the unprecedented decision to pull controversial documentary Russians at War from the lineup last week — including threats of violence and sexual assault.

The far-right Ukrainian Canadian Congress led efforts to suppress the film merely for its attempt to humanely portray Russian soldiers in the war in 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.