The film centers on Deki's personal motivations, driven by a deep-seated hatred for NATO and the West following the 1990s bombings in his native Serbia. By embedding with separatist units for three years, Schechter captures the "new normal" of a region where violence is commonplace and survival is the only priority. Modern Warfare and Social Media

A unique aspect of the documentary is the role of digital communication in 21st-century combat. The film depicts "sniper duels" where Deki and his rivals taunt each other via social media, turning lethal warfare into a personalized, public spectacle. Ethical and Political Controversy

The documentary repeatedly poses the central question: is Deki a soldier defending his beliefs or a killer consumed by vengeance?. 'A Sniper's War' - The Santa Barbara Independent

(released internationally as A Sniper’s War ) is a 2018 documentary directed by Olya Schechter. It provides a raw, controversial look at the conflict in Donbas through the eyes of Dejan "Deki" Berić, a Serbian volunteer sniper fighting for pro-Russian separatist forces in eastern Ukraine. The Human Cost of Ideology

While some viewers see it as a pro-Russian propaganda tool , others view it as an intimate character study of a man shaped by historical trauma.

The film has faced significant criticism and varying interpretations:

Critics note that by focusing solely on Deki, the film lacks the perspective of Ukrainian victims of Russian-backed attacks.