A War That Defied Expectations
When Russia advanced into Ukraine in February 2022, many observers predicted a swift victory for Moscow. With its vast resources and military power, Russia appeared unstoppable, while Ukraine, led by a former comedian-turned-president Volodymyr Zelensky, was expected to fold under pressure.
Three years later, the war has defied every forecast. The conflict remains the deadliest in Europe since World War II. Attempts at peace including Donald Trump’s mediation efforts and repeated diplomatic appeals have achieved little. Instead, the European Union has solidified its backing of Ukraine, while Russia has grown increasingly isolated on the global stage. Against this turbulent backdrop, authors and journalists have produced books that aim to explain the war, its origins, and its impact.
Yaroslav Trofimov: Stories of Survival
Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Yaroslav Trofimov offers one of the most moving accounts of the war in Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine’s War of Independence. Present in Kyiv when the invasion began, Trofimov combines frontline reporting with the stories of ordinary Ukrainians facing extraordinary hardship.
The book’s title, borrowed from Ukraine’s national anthem, symbolizes resistance and hope. While Trofimov openly sympathizes with Ukraine being born in Kyiv himself he still works to present events with fairness. His narrative stands out for its emotional power, often reading like a novel while still grounded in journalistic accuracy.
Luke Harding: A Wider Geopolitical Lens
While Trofimov zooms in on human stories, Luke Harding of The Guardian takes a broader approach in his book Invasion: The Inside Story of Russia’s Bloody War and Ukraine’s Fight for Survival. At just under 370 pages, Harding’s account is concise yet comprehensive, placing the war in the context of history, politics, and culture.
Harding vividly contrasts the leadership of Putin and Zelensky. He describes Putin as detached from reality, living in “a strange and unreachable realm,” while portraying Zelensky as pragmatic and deeply connected to his people. Although Harding’s tone is more analytical than emotional, his book remains essential for readers seeking to understand the structural forces driving the conflict.
Serhii Plokhy: The Historical Foundations
For those looking beyond the immediate crisis, historian Serhii Plokhy provides essential context in The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History. Plokhy, a Harvard professor specializing in Eastern Europe, argues that the current conflict is deeply rooted in centuries of Russian dominance and Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty.
The book underscores how Russian leaders have long viewed Ukraine as integral to their nation’s identity, a perception that fuels ongoing tensions. While Plokhy’s style leans academic, his work is invaluable for readers seeking to understand the war as part of a longer historical struggle rather than an isolated event.
Mikhail Zygar: Narratives and Myths
Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar, known for his independent reporting and bestselling book All the Kremlin’s Men, explores the cultural side of the war in War and Punishment: The Story of Russian Oppression and Ukrainian Resistance. Zygar links present-day politics with historical myths and literary traditions, showing how cultural narratives have shaped Russia’s perception of Ukraine.
His book also offers portraits of Putin and Zelensky, presenting them not only as leaders but also as figures molded by history and storytelling. Compared with Plokhy’s academic analysis, Zygar’s writing is more accessible and engaging for general readers.
Documenting a Historic Struggle
Together, these books capture different dimensions of the same war. Trofimov focuses on human resilience, Harding on geopolitical realities, Plokhy on historical roots, and Zygar on cultural myths. Each perspective is valuable, adding layers of understanding to a conflict that has already reshaped global politics.
As the war continues without resolution, these works serve as both testimony and analysis — helping the world grasp not just the events of today but also the legacies that will shape tomorrow’s history.
