A private screening of the Ukrainian tactical action-thriller "Killhouse," directed by Lubomyr Levitsky, took place in Washington, D.C. The film—based on an actual operation by the Ukrainian military to rescue civilians using drones—was presented at the U.S. Navy Memorial. The event was attended by U.S. military personnel, veterans, diplomats, and national security experts. Following the screening, a discussion was held featuring the director and Ukrainian special forces operators.
This was reported by the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States.
The special screening of "Killhouse" took place on November 12 at the Burke Theater, located within the U.S. Navy Memorial. The event was dedicated to Veterans Day, which is observed annually in the United States on November 11.
Attendees included U.S. military leaders, veterans, diplomats, national security experts, media representatives, members of the Ukrainian community, and friends of Ukraine.
Denys Senik, Chargé d'Affaires of Ukraine to the United States, expressed hope that the film would help foster closer cooperation between the Ukrainian and American military communities, while also sharing Ukraine’s combat experience with a broader international audience.
He also expressed gratitude to American partners for their support of Ukrainian service members and veterans, specifically for the assistance provided to wounded defenders undergoing treatment and rehabilitation in the United States.
Following the screening, a discussion took place featuring director Lubomyr Levitsky and Ukrainian military personnel, who shared their experiences using modern combat technologies, including unmanned systems.
Killhouse is a Ukrainian full-length tactical action-thriller released in 2026, based on a real-life rescue operation conducted by the Ukrainian military using drones in 2022.
The plot centers on a civilian couple attempting to rescue their daughter, who has been abducted by Russian occupiers. While traveling into occupied territory, their vehicle comes under fire. The situation is spotted by Ukrainian reconnaissance drone operators, who initiate an operation to evacuate the civilians.
Subsequently, special units from the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade join the rescue effort. The situation becomes more complex when the Russian military demands an exchange: the abducted girl for an American journalist.
A notable feature of the film is the participation of active-duty Ukrainian service members and veterans with real combat experience. In total, approximately 200 military personnel and veterans, along with over 70 actors, were involved in the production of the film. The lead roles were played by Serhiy Strelnikov, Denys Kapustin, and Audrey McAlpin.
According to director Lyubomyr Levytsky, he aimed to combine the realism of combat operations with cinematic spectacle while working on the film.
"I strove for a cinematic quality and a sense of tact. These were perhaps the most challenging aspects of the production, as I didn't want to create a typical action movie—where, for instance, a tank might be blown apart by a single grenade. I wanted the film to be realistic yet engaging for the audience, ensuring it remained a visual spectacle," said Levytsky.
The director also noted that a significant number of those involved in the production were active-duty military personnel who continue to carry out combat missions at the front.
The concept for the feature film emerged following Levytsky’s work on the documentary Follow Me (Ydy za mnoyu), which focuses on Ukrainian soldiers using drones to rescue civilians.
Filming for Killhouse spanned 62 days across 40 locations. Real military hardware was used to stage the combat sequences, including armored vehicles, a Black Hawk helicopter, and dozens of drones.
The Ukrainian premiere of the film took place on April 21, 2026, in Kyiv, followed by a wide theatrical release on April 23. Additionally, Killhouse won the Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the 11th Ukraine! Film Festival. Film to Be Screened at U.S. Military Educational Institutions
According to the Embassy of Ukraine, following a special screening in Washington, the film is set to be presented at the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Army War College.
These screenings are intended to facilitate the exchange of experience between Ukrainian and American military personnel—specifically regarding the use of drones, combat operations in modern warfare, and the development of military innovations.
The Embassy emphasized that the experience gained by Ukrainian defenders while countering Russian aggression could prove valuable for strengthening shared security and deepening military cooperation between Ukraine and the United States.
The special screening was supported by the Peace Through Strength, Institute, Silvus Technologies, Nova Poshta, and representatives of the U.S. Navy Memorial.
In addition to the private screening in Washington, special public screenings of Killhouse began in November across various U.S. cities, including Chicago, Philadelphia, and Detroit.
Photo: Embassy of Ukraine in the USA
Author: Inna Mikhno