On the frontlines of Ukraine’s conflict, two medics, known by their callsigns Cuba and Alaska, document their experiences with a combination of bravery, humor, and a stark awareness of the conflict’s absurdity. The footage, captured via phone and body cameras, forms the core of Yegor Troyanovsky’s documentary, Cuba & Alaska, which premiered at the Sheffield DocFest in 2025 and is slated for release in Germany on February 1, 2026.
The film follows Yulia and Olexandra, volunteer combat medics who provide emergency first aid to soldiers and tend to the wounded. Troyanovsky’s approach, mirroring that of other documentarians covering the war, utilizes the immediacy of GoPro cameras and mobile phones to convey the intensity of the fighting and the emotional toll it takes on those involved. The film highlights the increasing threat posed by drones, which are now responsible for the majority of casualties, according to reporting within the film.
Cuba & Alaska distinguishes itself from other war documentaries by interweaving harrowing combat footage with intimate glimpses into the medics’ lives outside of active duty. The film explores the cognitive dissonance experienced by Cuba and Alaska as they attempt to maintain a sense of normalcy and pursue their pre-war passions although simultaneously dedicating themselves to the army. Their playful camaraderie and gallows humor provide moments of levity amidst the grim realities of war, while scenes of grief are given space to resonate with viewers.
The documentary is a co-production between Ukraine’s 2Brave Productions, France’s Tag Film, and Belgium’s Clin d’oeil Films, with Java Films handling international rights. The film’s cinematography is credited to Serhiy Stetsenko, Yegor Troyanovsky, Vyacheslav Tsvetkov, Eveheniya Bondarenko, and François Chambe, with editing by Joëlle Alexis. Sound design was completed by Ludovic Van Pachterbeke and Laurent Martin.
A pivotal moment in the film occurs when one of the medics is injured, leading to a separation and a growing realization of the conflict’s despair. The film emphasizes the importance of human connection, particularly in circumstances where hope feels increasingly elusive. According to the Sheffield DocFest program notes, the film offers “rare access to the medics’ daily lives, their reliance on each other a testament to the camaraderie required to survive in this world.”
Cuba & Alaska has received an IMDb rating of 7.7/10 as of February 24, 2026. The film is presented in Ukrainian, French, Russian, and Catalan, with English subtitles available throughout.
