A War That Refused to End Quickly
In February 2022, Russia launched its military campaign against Ukraine under the label of a “special military operation.” Analysts around the world predicted a quick outcome, expecting Moscow’s vast military power to overwhelm its neighbor in days. Ukraine, under the leadership of Volodymyr Zelensky a former comedian with little political background was widely underestimated.
Instead, the conflict turned into the longest and most destructive war in Europe since World War II. Peace talks have collapsed, Western nations have rallied behind Kyiv, and Russia faces growing isolation. Meanwhile, writers and journalists have sought to interpret the war, producing books that analyze its causes, its human toll, and the stark contrast between Vladimir Putin and Zelensky.
Yaroslav Trofimov: The Personal Side of War
Among the most moving accounts is Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine’s War of Independence by Yaroslav Trofimov, a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist for The Wall Street Journal. Present in Kyiv when the invasion began, Trofimov delivers a gripping 400-page chronicle that captures not only political and military developments but also the struggles of civilians living under fire.
The book highlights ordinary Ukrainians attempting to maintain daily life while bombs fell around them. Trofimov, who was born in Kyiv, makes his sympathies clear, but he balances them with sharp reporting. The result is a narrative that blends objectivity with human emotion, reading at times like a novel rather than straightforward reportage.
Luke Harding: A Journalist’s Broader Scope
While Trofimov zooms in on personal experiences, Luke Harding offers a wider perspective in Invasion: The Inside Story of Russia’s Bloody War and Ukraine’s Fight for Survival. Harding, a seasoned correspondent for The Guardian, was also in Kyiv at the start of the invasion. His book traces the conflict’s origins and situates it in the larger clash of worldviews between Russia and the West.
Harding contrasts Putin and Zelensky in vivid terms. He portrays Zelensky as pragmatic, quick-thinking, and accessible, while describing Putin as isolated in “a strange and unreachable realm.” Though Harding’s book may not have the emotional intensity of Trofimov’s, it provides crucial context for understanding the geopolitical stakes of the war.
Serhii Plokhy: Returning to History
Historian Serhii Plokhy, professor of Ukrainian history at Harvard, approaches the subject with a long lens in The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History. Instead of focusing solely on the battles of 2022 and beyond, Plokhy traces how centuries of Russian domination and Ukrainian resistance have shaped today’s confrontation.
His book explains how Russian leaders have consistently claimed Ukraine as integral to their identity, a belief that continues to drive Moscow’s policies. More academic than narrative, Plokhy’s work is invaluable for readers who want to understand the war as part of a longer historical continuum.
Mikhail Zygar: Myths, Stories, and Resistance
In War and Punishment: The Story of Russian Oppression and Ukrainian Resistance, Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar blends culture and politics. Known for his independent reporting and his earlier bestseller All the Kremlin’s Men, Zygar highlights the myths, historical narratives, and cultural perceptions that shaped Russia’s view of Ukraine.
He also examines the personal journeys of Putin and Zelensky, offering insights into how each leader represents contrasting visions of their nations. Written in an accessible style, Zygar’s book is less academic than Plokhy’s but more engaging for general audiences.
Understanding the War Through Books
Together, these four works reveal that the Russia–Ukraine war is not just about territory or politics — it is also about identity, culture, and history. Trofimov gives voice to the human struggle, Harding examines global dynamics, Plokhy provides historical foundations, and Zygar exposes the myths behind power.
As the conflict drags on with no clear resolution, these books ensure that the events, experiences, and lessons of this war are recorded for the present and for history.
