The Warrior Was Alone

This is the story of Zakarya Aliev, a soldier from Dagestan known by his call sign ‘Smiley’. For three weeks, the combat engineer and scout single-handedly held the line in a former Ukrainian stronghold in Zaporozhye Region.
The film captures not only the daily reality of the front but also the soldier’s private world – his reflections on family, homeland, and duty. Through archival footage and interviews with his comrades, we see how one man’s resolve can alter the course of events on the battlefield. This documentary stands as a tribute to those who serve with honor, as well as a reminder of the price soldiers pay for the peace we enjoy.

Watch “The Warrior Was Alone” on RTD website and on RT’s live feed. The time of the broadcast is available on RT’s schedule page.