TV series
A unique drama anthology series for our time, inspired by true events which happened in Kyiv in the first few weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. As the brutal war got underway, every second person left Kyiv. Yet every second person remained. These are their stories – variously moving, funny, sad, stark, unsettling, and uplifting.
Availability
Checked Jul 22, 2026
The First Days premiered October 29, 2023. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
A unique drama anthology series for our time, inspired by true events which happened in Kyiv in the first few weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. As the brutal war got underway, every second person left Kyiv. Yet every second person remained. These are their stories – variously moving, funny, sad, stark, unsettling, and uplifting.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
After her family home is destroyed, Olga has to co-exist in a small apartment with her husband, ex-husband and their children.
Guest stars Kateryna Varchenko, Roman Lutskyi, Taras Tsymbaliuk, Agniya Lodkina, Кіра Семенко, Альона Васильєва, Siergiej Darij, Kostyantyn Mykhno
Episode 2
Max, a zoo employee from Ukraine, must find a way to help the animals he works with after the invasion by Russian troops results in a loss of electricity and food.
Guest stars Oleksandr Rudynskyi, Liliia Tsvelikova, Vyacheslav Babenkov, Oleksandr Ihnatusha, Andrii Isaienko, Yurii Kulinich, Andrey Romankov, Bogdan Borysenko
Episode 3
After fleeing war once, a homeless man who lives with his 10-year-old son decides to join his country's war effort but struggles to do so due to his lack of documents and identification.
Guest stars Yaroslav Bezkorovainyi, Mykhaylo Korzhenivsky, Olena Uzliuk, Andrii Saminin, Petro Chychuk, Khrystyna Ihnat, Anastasiya Seheda, Natalia Huhlenko
Episode 4
A German surgeon visits Kyiv to rescue his girlfriend after war breaks out, only to find out that she refuses to leave. After being inspired to stay back and volunteer, he finds himself in a dangerous situation.
Guest stars Fabian Männel, Mariia Stopnyk, Rob Feldman, Ivan Blindar, Evgen Bushmakin, Mykhailo Dziuba, Rostyslav Bome, Marc Wilkins
Episode 5
During Russia's invasion, Egor, a seven-year-old Ukrainian boy, fights his fears with his imaginary friends while his mothers contemplate leaving the country.
Guest stars Oksana Zhdanova, Antonina Khyzhniak, Oleksandr Ladyka, Viktor Drapikovskyi, Vsevolod Shekita, Olha Yehorova, Demian Vasyliev, Stanislav Lozovsky
Episode 6
A famous drag artist becomes a symbol of Ukrainian resistance after he decides to stay in Kyiv instead of fleeing war and starts live streaming every day.
Guest stars Viacheslav Dovzhenko, Viktor Zhdanov, Andrii Alyohin, Bogdan Zhdanov, Sonya Slusarenko, Maksym Ryzhevol, Andrii Marchenko, Stanislav Orlov
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
Available now in United States
These shows are available now and closely match The First Days.
Kateryna VarchenkoOlya
Roman LutskyiPasha
Taras TsymbaliukSerhiy
Yle TV1Finland
FILM.UA GroupUkraine
SVTSweden
YLEFinland
NRKNorway
Red Arrow Studios InternationalGermany
