Paramount’s 5 Sends Boris Johnson To The Ukraine/Russia Frontline

He’s more used to giving the orders than undertaking missions, but Boris Johnson is headed to the heart of the Ukraine-Russia War.

Paramount‘s UK network 5 has ordered Boris Johnson: Into the Kill Zone (working title), a feature-length doc from frequent co-producers Soho Studios and Two Rivers Media.

The doc will see the divisive former Prime Minister traveling into war-torn Ukraine, past the capital Kyiv on a 72-hour unofficial and secret assignment behind the frontline of the country’s war with Russia.

After quietly entering the country, Johnson goes to the ‘kill zone’ near Zaporizhzhia, where drones, artillery and warfare replace the diplomacy and political rhetoric the former journalist and ex-Conservative Party leader is used to doing. He will embed with Ukrainian soldiers and visit shattered villages, a frontline chapel, secret drone bases and a makeshift bomb factory.

Along the way, Johnson will be seen sheltering in an under-siege eight-story flat during a missile strike, and will join mobile gun teams and Kyiv’s volunteer air defenders for a freezing night shift protecting the capital from Russian drone attacks.

Johnson’s rise to the top of British politics and his subsequent leadership as Prime Minister between 2019 and 2022 was, at the very least, controversial and divisive among the British public – at times disregarding political norms and ignoring systems to further his political goals and consolidate his power base. His support for the UK’s exit from Europe and handling of the Covid-19 crisis split the country and even his own party, but his support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and opposition of the Russian invasion has been solid and consistent.

Guy Davies, Consultant Editor for Commissioning at Paramount’s 5, said: “Boris takes us on a traumatic and revelatory journey in this documentary. It is clearly a cause that is close to his heart and we see him in a new light – no longer looking at the war from the statesman’s perspective, away from the frontline, but in the trenches and more able to speak freely.”

“The Ukrainians are fighting the same war, against the same drones, that are being sent against civilians by the same alliance of tyrannies,” added Johnson. “We have spent four years psalming platitudes and telling them that their fight is our fight. On the basis of what I have seen, we are risibly failing to live up to our pledges, and to give them the help they need.

“The Ukrainians can win and will win. But our delay and our timidity continue to cause unimaginable human suffering. We are right to say that the Ukrainians are fighting for all of us – so why the hell are we still short-changing them?”

His access to Ukraine was secured in collaboration with Daily Mail foreign correspondent Richard Pendlebury. Pantheon Media Group’s Soho Studios and Two River co-produced the show in association with Daily Mail Originals, and Sphere Abacus has the international distribution rights. Davies was the 5 commissioner.

Soho Studios founder Ian Lamarra said: “Seeing a recent British Prime Minister on the frontline of a conflict, with his life in genuine danger, is extremely powerful. I think this will be the talked about doc of the year and make worldwide headlines as it sells internationally.”

Two Rivers’ Managing Director, Alan Clements, added: “Two Rivers is really excited to be co-producing this important and remarkable premium feature documentary for 5 which will provide a unique and compelling view of the war in Ukraine.”

Soho Studios and Two Rivers have previously teamed on the likes of Travels With Agatha Christie and Sir David Suchet, Special Forces: Most Daring Missions and Britain’s Murder Map.