Hosted by Robert Spangle — photojournalist, Marine veteran, and fashion designer — The Observer brings audiences to the front lines of today’s most defining conflicts. The series cuts past politics and speculation, focusing instead on the firsthand experiences of soldiers, medics, and civilians living through war.
Through documentaries, written features, and behind-the-scenes reporting, The Observer delivers a raw, unfiltered perspective on modern warfare. At its heart, the show is about uncovering the universal truths of humanity and survival that emerge under fire, offering a deeper understanding of both the battlefield and the people within it.
STORIES
STORY: 1
24 Hours On The Front
A Fight In All Directions
Prepare to step into the trenches of Ukraine's Eastern front with the Da Vinci Wolves Battalion. This gripping story reveals the unyielding challenges of life on the frontline—freezing temperatures, relentless artillery fire, and the ever-evolving dangers of drone warfare.
STORY: 2
The New No-Man's-Land
In our next story from Ukraine, we follow the brutal reality of combat injuries on the front line — and the race against time to save the wounded. Through multi-angle reporting that combines frontline footage, interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights, The Observer documents what it looks like to be an injured soldier under fire and the medevac and CASEVAC crews risking everything to pull him out alive.
STORY: 3
The White Angels
The White Angels takes viewers into Ukraine’s northern border region, where civilians trapped inside the widening Grey Zone face a daily struggle to stay alive. Here, the elderly and infirm remain in villages stalked by drones, shattered by artillery, and inches from Russia’s advancing forces — a place where the simple act of leaving home becomes a life-or-death decision.
Bonus Dispatches
Squall Unit: Prison Soldiers Fighting for Ukraine
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by Robert Spangle
Robert Spangle is a journalist, photographer, and former U.S. Marine. His work focuses on conflict zones and human stories, offering detailed, empathetic narratives from the frontlines. Spangle's firsthand reporting often highlights the human experience amidst war, combining his military background with a keen eye for storytelling.