Cyborgs: Heroes Never Die

Cyborgs: Heroes Never Die (Ukrainian: «Кiборги: Герої не вмирають», romanized: Kiborhy: Heroyi ne vmyrayut') is a Ukrainian war drama film released in 2017. It focuses on the Ukrainian defenders, known as Cyborgs, during the Second Battle of Donetsk Airport. The film was written by Nataliya Vorozhbyt, directed by Akhtem Seitablayev, and produced by Ivanna Diadiura.

Released on December 7, 2017, coinciding with the third anniversary of the fall of the airport's old terminal, the film achieved the highest-grossing opening weekend for a Ukrainian film at that time. It was primarily funded by the Ukrainian State Film Agency and received support from the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The narrative is set against the backdrop of the Second Battle of Donetsk Airport, where Ukrainian soldiers and volunteers defended the airport for four months against pro-Russian forces. Despite a ceasefire established by the Minsk Protocol, fighting continued, leading to a significant escalation in late September 2014 as pro-Russian forces attempted to reclaim the airport.

The term 'cyborgs' was coined by pro-Russian fighters on social media to describe the tenacity of the Ukrainian defenders, which inadvertently became a symbol of Ukrainian courage and patriotism, later recognized by President Petro Poroshenko.

The film begins with Ukrainian soldiers and volunteers transferring to an armored convoy at Pisky, where they face artillery attacks and misinformation from pro-Russian news outlets. The plot follows their struggles and interactions as they engage in combat, deal with personal conflicts, and reflect on their motivations for fighting.

Key characters include Mazhor, an idealistic draftee; Subota, a social media-savvy paratrooper; and Serpen, a history teacher turned soldier. The film explores themes of honor, duty, and the complexities of war through their experiences.

The film's development began on October 19, 2014, amid ongoing conflict, with director Akhtem Seitablayev facing skepticism about producing a film during wartime. The script was crafted based on interviews with airport defenders, aiming to portray the determination of the characters fighting for Ukraine.

Cyborgs was produced with a budget of 47 million Ukrainian hryvnias (approximately US$1.8 million), with half funded by the Ukrainian State Film Agency. Filming took place primarily in Kyiv Oblast and involved veterans from the conflict for authenticity.

Cyborgs: Heroes Never Die received significant acclaim, winning six Golden Dzygas at the 2018 Ukrainian National Film Awards. It was praised for its portrayal of the complexities of war and the diversity of Ukrainian society, showcasing characters from various cultural and political backgrounds.