RT Documentary

The Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa is one of the world’s most resource-rich countries. A wide range of rare minerals can be found here in abundance, all commanding high prices in world commodity markets. Diamonds for jewellery, tantalum, tungsten and gold for electronics; uranium used in power generation and weaponry and many others. Congo has copious deposits of raw materials that are in high demand internationally but remains one of the poorest countries in the world. From colonisation, with the horrors of slavery and other atrocities, to a turbulent and equally brutal present in which militant groups control the mines, Congo’s richness in natural resources has brought nothing but misery. Referred to as “conflict minerals”, these riches leave only a trail of death, destruction and poverty. Under Belgian rule, Congolese labourers were often required to meet quotas when mining different minerals. Failure could mean punishment by having a hand cut off with a machete. The country gained independence in 1960, but that didn’t put a stop to slave and child labour or to crimes being committed to extract and exploit the minerals. Warring militant fractions from inside the country and beyond seized control of mines for their own benefit while terrorising local populations. For our translator, Bernard Kalume Buleri, his country’s history of turmoil is very personal; like most Congolese people, he and his family fell victim to the unending mineral based power struggle. Born in the year of his country’s independence, he has lived through war and seen his homeland torn apart by violent looting and greed. His story is a damning testament, illustrating how nature’s bounty, instead of being a blessing, becomes a deadly curse.

The road to ISIS’ self-proclaimed capital, Raqqa, has been long and hard. The battle rages in the suburbs of the Syrian city. Improvised explosive devices, suicide bombers, sniper fire and grenade-dropping drones have been deployed by the surrounded terrorists. This film features the stories of fighters in the Kurdish People Protection Units (YPG), as well as European volunteers who joined them. There are also stories of military hospital staff. Dr. Akhiv, a veteran military doctor considers his work a “sacred calling.” Adham, a frontline nurse, joined the field hospital after his brother was killed fighting ISIS. Sema, a Kurdish female commander, left her family to join the fight. “We’re not fighting for a certain nation. Humanity is what we’re fighting for,” she says. Some Europeans have joined the YPG as volunteers. Rosa left a mundane life in Sweden to fight for women’s rights in Syria. Robin, a volunteer from Germany, got sick of hearing how “someone should do something about” ISIS after every terrorist attack in Europe. He left his girlfriend and a comfortable life to do something about them himself.

In the heart of the rugged mountains of Dagestan, a small school struggled for years to find an English teacher for its students. Despite the breathtaking landscapes and the rustic charm of rural life, the road to this school can be utterly perilous. However, Musakay Musakaev’s resolve wasn’t swayed by the challenges - everyday, he spends 4 hours commuting to work on impassable roads, where rockfalls, landslides, and floods from mountain rivers pose threats. Friends advised the rural teacher to quit his job and find another one in the city - more profitable and comfortable. But Musakay instead, jumps into his car and drives to the school. Inspiring children and giving them a chance for a better future is what motivates Musakay to take such risks.

Valentina Ivanova from Lugansk recalls that her entire family was at home when the shelling began. ‘When the shell hit the house, we got really scared. We thought that we wouldn't make it out alive—none of us ... neither Egorka, nor Dasha, nor Sasha—no one’, Ivanova recalls about that fateful day. Tragically, their home was completely destroyed due to the Ukrainian bombing. It was then that Ivanova's young son, Sasha, made a heartfelt promise to do everything in his power to help others. Despite his young age - Sasha studies at primary school - he joined a volunteering project that supplies Donbass residents with hot meals daily. The 'Food for Life Charity' began operations in Donbass in the summer of 2022. When the cities of Donbass were freed, significant destruction was left behind by the Ukrainian nationalists. In areas devoid of food, water, and electricity, 'Food for Life' volunteers became their only hope for residents to get food. What drives Sasha and other kids to help others at their own peril?

On March 22, 2024, Svetlana Sheremet came to the concert with her family. The show was about to start when Svetlana's son said, 'Mum, it's gunshots.' As the terrorists opened fire on defenceless people, the family narrowly escaped from the concert hall. Svetlana's son's legs gave out, and a man carried him out of the burning building. “Everyone who could help did so. Those who smashed through the walls to get to the roof, those who tried to break down the doors, and those who steered people away when gunshots were fired outside the door,” says Oleg Ukolov, an eyewitness of the Crocus City Hall tragedy. Watch the documentary to discover how amidst this harrowing ordeal, people united, offering support to one another.

‘Bears are very clean animals. Water is like a second home to them', says Andrey. While working as a pilot at an airfield, he met an orphaned bear cub and started to take care of him. He and his friends called him Mansur. All the while the animal was small, it was fun and easy to keep him, but adult bears need a lot of space and up to 20 kg of food per day. It was too late to return Mansur to the wild, and crowdfunding became the ideal solution to meeting his needs. With the help of volunteers from 16 countries, they launched an online reality show about Mansur’s life. His bear enclosure is under round-the-clock observation, and watching how Mansur keeps himself busy has become a popular internet sensation. He’s also been known to befriend foxes, cats and hedgehogs, which are sometimes caught on camera while visiting their giant friend. The Documentary explains why Mansur is known to some as a ‘forest cow’ and looks at how bears are treated in different parts of the world.

WWII fighter pilot Aleksey Maresyev survived the impossible: his plane was shot down in a remote wilderness, the crash broke his legs and he still managed to find safety. It took him 18 days of crawling through a snow-covered forest, with no food or water. The amputation of his legs meant he would be discharged from the armed forces. No doctor would send him back to the front-line. Maresyev, however, wanted to fly fighter planes again to defend his country against the Nazi threat. Related: Russia's Top Guns Showcase their Aviation Skills His doctors and commanders took a lot of convincing to let him return to the pilot’s seat and his comrades were nervous about teaming up with a handicapped pilot. They needed to know that every unit member would have their backs in combat. Soon, however, Maresyev dispelled all concerns with his skill. His example inspired other pilots. When the War was over, Russian writer, Boris Polevoy, wrote a book about Maresyev’s heroic feat, “The story of a real man”. His work was taught in schools and every child knew of Maresyev’s amazing willpower, determination and courage. His example saved the lives and careers of other pilots who found themselves in similar situations in years to come. Related: Three disabled men reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro One detail from his story remained a mystery for many decades: nobody could find his plane. Finally, one man, Aleksandr Morzunov, became a forensic investigator and, by a twist of fate, discovered the crash site. He would only agree to reveal it in the presence of Aleksey Maresyev’s family. The hero’s son and grandson travel to where the legend of their ancestor was born.

The Beslan School attack is still the deadliest act of terror Russia has ever seen. Fifteen years on, RTD meets survivors who face the daily challenge of coming to terms with an event that tore their lives apart. The three-day hostage crisis remains infamous not just because of its unequalled death toll, with 334 killed, but because so many of the victims were children. On 1 September 2004, pupils, teachers and families gathered to celebrate the start of a new year at School Number 1 in Beslan, Northern Ossetia, a region in the Russian Caucasus. Radical Islamists from neighbouring Chechnya took 1,127 children, relatives and staff hostage. They were held without drinking water in suffocating heat in the school sports hall, which was packed with explosives. A number of the captured men were executed. On the third day of the siege, time appeared to be running out. Security forces surrounding the compound stormed the building to rescue the victims. Many exhausted hostages died in the chaos of bullets, explosions and fire, or in the aftermath. The children are now grown up, caught between unending grief for lost loved ones and a determination to lead worthwhile lives. For Irina Gurieva, who was starting in second grade at the time, life is split between ‘before' and 'after' the terror attack. Dzerassa Kyudzaeva, the seven-year-old girl, chosen to ring the first bell of the school year, now tries to live “for 334 people”. Fatima Dzgoeva, who was severely disabled in the attack, fights hard every day to keep her body working. For the rescuers too, time has taken its toll. At Moscow's Arkhangelsk military cemetery, the section where officers involved in the Beslan siege are buried is filling up. The soldiers still alive must live with their memories. Vitalii Demidkin spent 27 years with “Spetsnaz”, or special forces, but despite having served in several hot-spots, he sees Beslan as the most horrific mission of his career. He still feels survivor’s guilt towards his brothers-in-arms who died in the operation to free the hostages. He has never returned to the school; until now. Many survivors prefer to avoid publicity, but for some, talk about the events proves helpful. Former child hostages and rescuer agree to accompany RTD and go back to the school, now turned into a shrine, to relive those three terrible days, and at last, to meet in person.

Western Sahara is one of the most heavily mined territories in the world following decades of conflict with its neighbours. Despite a 1991 ceasefire, most Sahrawis still linger in refugee camps in Algeria because it is too dangerous to live there. Now, some brave young women have taken it upon themselves to clear their ancestral lands of landmines so their people can return.

Kristina was only 19 when she took on the role of mother to her five younger brothers and sister. After their parents tragically both died within a year, determined to keep her family together, Kristina applied to become the children’s guardian. The big sister dropped out of college and moved back to the village to take care of her family. Running a household is a full-time job for Kristina, who toils away from early morning until late at night when the kids have finally gone to bed. It’s not just her siblings who need Kristina’s attention. The family farm has escaping livestock, numerous dogs, cats and a couple of hamsters, all in need of care. There's a lot to be done on a farm: milking, chopping, mowing, fixing and cleaning. Luckily, the kids all help their big sister and share out the daily chores among themselves. When Kristina’s story surfaced on the internet, people started sending letters, gifts and money from across the country and beyond. Numerous suitors also flooded Kristina’s social media with messages and romantic overtures! For the 21-year-old, however, her own plans and aspirations are on hold until her siblings have grown up. She's passed a six-month trial period but still has to prove she can handle the parental responsibility. Child Services visit the family regularly to check on the children's diet, clothing and their extracurricular activities. To find out how she copes with her hectic household and large family, an RTD crew visits Kristina and the kids in their Chelyabinsk region village. It’s a heartwarming story of a young girl’s devotion to her family and the drive to keep going, even in the hardest of times.

"We're shooting a film here, but this is no movie," says Sargon Hadaya, half Russian, half Syrian. He is a war correspondent who has dedicated his life to revealing the truth behind the conflicts in Ukraine and the Arab world. The war correspondent finds himself in the midst of hell: in the phosphorus-burned forests of Kremennoy, in a combat helicopter above Bakhmut, and during the attacks of paratroopers in Svatovo. He openly admits that this kind of job isn’t enjoyable, but it's necessary. Sargon has filmed in Afghanistan, Iraq and Africa. But after the war in Syria, according to him, everything changed - journalists became targets. Sargon reports in Arabic, fluent in Russian and prays in Aramaic, the language of Christ. Watch our new documentary to learn more about this challenging yet indispensable profession.

How easy is it to fall into the cunning trap of microloans? Tatyana's apartment in Moscow was fraudulently sold at auction. Sergey was forced to sell his apartment to pay off a $75k debt that has been pinned on him. Svetlana found herself tangled in loans, low receipts, and debts. What do these individuals have in common? They are all victims of the dubious microloan scheme. It has proven to be the most common stratagem for seizing people's assets nowadays. How can one avoid falling prey to such schemes and protect themselves from losing everything they’ve worked for all their lives? Find out in our new documentary!

In 1994, about one million people were killed in Rwanda in just 100 days. Two decades on, a classical ballet school for young girls in the Rwandan city of Kigali has come to symbolise just how far the country has come in recovering from the trauma inflicted by the inter-tribal conflict. Children from the Hutu and Tutsi tribes were once seated on opposite sides of the classroom in Rwanda and taught that they were different, even in appearance. Tribal differences were also often emphasised by parents at home. This has radically changed since the genocide, however. Government initiatives in both schools and communities now teach, “No one’s a Hutu or a Tutsi, everybody’s Rwandan and that’s it,” as one aspiring young ballerina put it. Weekly reconciliation meetings are still held in every Rwandan village to reinforce this concept. Though the families of the genocide victims are still full of pain and can’t forget those they lost, they harbour no resentment and don’t promote anger, as “we can’t hate our neighbours, because we must all live together,” one woman said. Related: The Curse of the 'conflict minerals' in Congo The fresh voices and attitudes of the young ballerinas in this film attest to Rwanda’s success in dealing with its brutal past and preparing its new generation for a peaceful future. As one young dancer said, “We can’t let this happen again… we can’t go back to where we were; we have to keep growing and expanding on that.”

The Moiseyev Ballet is a world-known and loved folk dance ensemble, which has played an important role in establishing Russia’s international cultural ties since its inception in 1943. Its dancers are under constant pressure to do justice to the legacy of its visionary founder, Igor Moiseyev, and to keep proving the Ballet’s leadership among folk dance groups of the world. They undergo gruelling rehearsals and have to accept the inevitability of injuries and health problems – all in the name of art. Yet they are always trying to reach perfection, no matter the cost. They give the dance their all and, unlike in classic ballet, are prepared to share fame with each other, rather than stand out as lead dancers. Related: The hard path to becoming professional ballerina: a look Inside Russia's most famous ballet academy In 1943, the visionary Russian choreographer founded the Moiseyev Ballet, which showcased traditional dances from various cultures not just from around Russia and former Soviet republics, but from around the world - from English arrangements to Cossack dances. His ballet exists and performs to this day, still using his original choreography. The Moiseyev Ballet is grueling for the young dancers who perform there. Hours and hours of rehearsal, scores of injuries and high emotions are all par for the course on this stage. As they say, being polite and soft with people won’t get results. But in the end, the result here certainly shows. Related: What it takes Russian rhythmic Gymnasts to keep Russia's leadership in this beautiful and demanding sport The Moiseyev Ballet is at its heart an ensemble, and to that end so-called “superstars” have no place here. The dancers must all share the stage with one another, and work and perform as one flowing unit. This famous ensemble has been travelling all over the world for decades. They were among the first Russians to go to America after the Cold War, and were on the first Russian flight to Israel after a long hiatus in relations. However, they also make sure to travel around Russia’s vast territories. During the course of the film, one young dancer suffers a debilitating knee injury, and must undertake surgery. It’s heartbreaking, but he takes it in stride. It’s understood by all in the Moiseyev Ballet that these things happen, and at any rate the career of a dancer is bound to be short. For the time being, though, these young stars shine brightly on the stage, and work tirelessly to show their own and others’ culture all over the world.

"Donetsk has earned a little peace. It has been subjected to shelling for almost ten years now. The civilians have become so accustomed to the shelling that they do not believe it might ever end," says Callsign 'Lawyer', soldier of the Archangel Michael Battalion. 'Lawyer' grew up in a family of engineers, where his parents nurtured his passion for model-building and designing from a young age. When the Special Military Operation began, he saw how his civilian skills could be useful in the military and decided to help out. The soldiers of the Archangel Michael Battalion are not only operating FPV drones but also manufacturing essential military hardware needed for the frontline. They do this just a few kilometres away from the enemy firing positions. Watch our new documentary to see the Battalion's innovative developments and training firsthand.

After the Gaza strip was heavily bombed in 2014, all that remained in many areas were ruins, which became a training ground for young free runners. The sport, also known as parkour, is particularly dangerous in debris strewn Gaza, but the young men say that, as Palestinians, they’ve become accustomed to danger.

As the cost of living and inflation rises in the US, the quality of life for a wide spectrum of Americans declines. The lack of affordable housing, combined with inadequate policies to address the issue, has left vulnerable individuals in dreadful conditions. A tsunami of evictions has swept across the US as the nation struggles with runaway inflation. The state of New Jersey, for example, provides a grim picture of the harsh reality, with rent prices hitting record highs. As a result of the broken housing system, many people have resorted to sleeping in tents, parks, cars, and abandoned houses. Ocean County is one of many places in the US without a full-time shelter structure for homeless people to turn to. Minister Steve Brigham describes the situation as "a terrible shame," emphasizing that "there is no shelter for them to go to...that they have to sleep out in the woods." Homelessness affects people from diverse backgrounds, whether it is inherited poverty or individuals who were once wealthy. The lack of security and loss of dignity is a common factor among the people who confront such harsh conditions. Angelo, for example, was once a Harvard student, but is now barely surviving in a muddy homeless camp. RT Documentary’s new film, ‘US Homeless: The Fight for Equality,’ highlights the stories of the marginalized and their struggles of having their voices heard.

A significant portion of Bosnia and Herzegovina's population adheres to the Islamic faith, yet recently, the country has witnessed an alarming surge towards radicalisation. This documentary sheds light on the birth and spread of extremism within the state. What has the policy of division between Muslim and Orthodox societies led to so far? "The war in Bosnia and Herzegovina was a turning point in the growth of global jihad," says Jevad Galiyashevich, Social Relations and Counter-Terrorism Expert. With other experts, he explains how both the West and Arab countries' ambition in Islamizing Bosnia and Herzegovina has transformed the country into a potential military base for radical Islam, casting an ominous shadow over the region. Watch the film to explore the roots of this radicalization, including the impact of Western intelligence agencies and their connections to the rise of extremist ideologies.

Almost two kilometres of ice covers Antarctica, the coldest and emptiest continent on Earth. Humans and wildlife can cohabit in a peaceful, international brotherhood because the 1959 Antarctic Treaty protects the region from mineral exploitation and militarisation, and preserves it for science. RTD joins scientists on a dangerous trek to Vostok base at the magnetic South Pole and finds out what draws some of them again and again to isolation in Antarctica for months on end.

The US has a highly developed pharmaceutical industry offering treatments for all kinds of mental disorders. Millions of Americans are being medicated with psychotropic drugs for ailments as diverse as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and many others. Even young children are being put on psychiatric drugs. If parents decline such treatment, social services may intervene. Many patients, who’ve been taking these pills for years, insist that they do more harm than good. They have experienced disturbing side effects such as suicidal thoughts, addiction and even neurological damage. A lot of patients were put on their medication as children and by the time they were legally old enough to decide for themselves, they had already become addicted. They testify that breaking their dependency on the drugs is extremely difficult because, like any habit forming narcotic, they cause severe withdrawal symptoms. RTD meets some of the sufferers to hear their stories of battling to shake off prescribed medicines. Father of 5, Josh, was given anxiety medication, it caused Akathisia and Dystonia. Both are physical disorders causing involuntary and uncontrolled body movement and have left him disabled. Olivia’s son was prescribed psychiatric drugs to treat Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD). Olivia soon noticed side effects and refused to continue giving him the pills. He was taken by social services and hospitalised. Denis from Russia used to work for a pharmaceutical company in the US but after meeting his wife, who had suffered from the side effects of antidepressants for most of her life, he started questioning the necessity for such widespread psychiatric prescribing. Their claims are supported by lawyers and medical professionals. Psychiatrist Dr. Peter Breggin is a vocal critic of psychiatric medication. He is adamant that the drugs are toxic and that many problems people talk to physiatrists about can be treated without resorting to drugs. His book on how to stop taking psychiatric medicines has helped thousands of patients who have struggled with the challenge. RTD meets a few of them.

"I serve in the Orthodox Dmitry Donskoy Battalion now, as a soldier. I used to walk around here in a cassock, and now I'm in camo. When you're in military fatigues, at least the hems don't get dirty," says Ivan, a priest from the Moscow region. Despite being a clergyman, Ivan has taken up arms out of sheer determination to protect Donbass civilians. Like many others who volunteered to defend Donbass, Ivan believes every effort made brings victory closer. Watch the documentary to discover unique individuals who decided to join the ranks on the Donbass frontlines. From musicians to engineers, regular people became soldiers, putting their lives on the line to ensure a peaceful future for their region.

The manual, authored by emirs for the new generation of jihadists, was discovered amid the ruins on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria. It contains specific instructions on how to turn an ordinary person into someone who would then set off explosions in the subways. The film crew, shocked by the unearthed methods of terrorist recruitment, initiated their own inquiry. Their goal was to explain how not only neighbouring regions but also tens of thousands of people worldwide, are drawn into jihadist networks. Why do people often fail to recognize terrorists recruitment attempts? Survivors of the horrors of the so-called caliphate, who managed to escape, offer their perspectives on the issue. Evidence of crimes, terrorist testimonies and accounts from their wives and children, contribute to finding answers to this question.

Twenty-five years ago, the skies over Yugoslavia were ripped apart by relentless NATO bombing, scattering waves of contaminated dust infused with depleted uranium, a component found in armour-piercing munitions. However, it was the local civilians who suffered the brunt of the devastation, facing increased cancer-related deaths due to the toxic heavy metal. “Bombs were raining down on Vranje. They were bombing non-stop. But not with conventional bombs! Instead of classical weapons, they used depleted uranium bombs,” recalls Gradimir, a survivor of NATO’s bombing in Serbia, his life forever marked by the scars of that tragic event. For over three decades, the US Army has utilized depleted uranium shells in various conflicts, leaving behind a trail of devastation similar to that witnessed in Yugoslavia. The tragedy resounded tragically in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004, where Mouaid, among others, suffered unimaginable losses. “I’m one of the victims of the Americans. My eye is damaged. I also have traumas on my body, legs, and my back after the violent bombings. My brother and my niece died,” shares Mouaid. Even in Italy, protests emerged from families of Italian soldiers who suffered as part of the ‘peacekeeping mission’ upon their return from Kosovo. Investigative journalists Jacopo Brogi and Alessandro Fanetti shed light on the concealed dangers of depleted uranium munitions, and the toll it exacted on soldiers deployed in conflict zones. From the streets of Serbia to cemeteries in Iraq and Rome, this film serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of warfare and the pressing demand for accountability.

A cathedral founded on pure faith and its creator who’s dedicated more than 50 years of his life to building it. 91-year-old Don Justo, of the small Spanish town of Mejorada del Campo, is a former monk. On a whim and a dream he decided to build a monumental house of God and since 1961, he’s been doing just that using scrap, recycled building materials and as much good will as he can find.