Crossing the Frontline: Filmmaker Zarina Zabrisky's 3-Year Journey Across the Dnipro in Kherson

American filmmaker Zarina Zabrisky has lived and reported from Kherson, on the Ukrainian-controlled side of the Dnipro River, for the past three years. In a recent interview with France 24's Gavin Lee, she opened up about the harrowing events of the past 24 hours on the war-torn frontlines.

Zabrisky is not a typical war correspondent. As a filmmaker, she brings a visual and narrative depth to her reporting, crossing the Dnipro River to document the reality of life in a conflict zone that most only see on screens. Her testimony reveals a landscape of constant uncertainty: sudden shelling, disrupted utilities, and civilians caught between two warring forces.

The past 24 hours, as she describes, included a mix of tense silence and sudden explosions. She spoke of families huddled in basements, the struggle to find clean water, and the psychological toll of living in a designated 'combat zone.' Despite the danger, Zabrisky emphasizes the resilience of the local population and the importance of bearing witness.

Key takeaway: This firsthand account strips away the political noise and puts a human face on the ongoing war in Ukraine. It serves as a stark reminder that behind every headline is a community simply trying to survive.