Watch NHK Documentary Season 25 Episode 9 Online

When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the capital Kyiv was predicted to fall within 72 hours. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy risked his own life to stay put and resist, declaring his nation's resolve to defend its right to independence. Based on interviews with Zelenskyy's closest aides, official government releases and global media reports, we reconstruct the timeline of the critical first 72 hours of the invasion, uncovering fresh revelations about the events that set in motion a new era of global polarization and instability.