A Conflict Few Expected to Last This Long
When Russian troops crossed into Ukraine in early 2022, many believed the outcome was already decided. Russia, the world’s largest nation with a powerful military machine, was led by Vladimir Putin, a leader feared and respected across the globe. On the other side stood Ukraine, a smaller state with a president who was once a comedian Volodymyr Zelensky.
What was predicted to be a short campaign has turned into the bloodiest European conflict since 1945, stretching into its third year with no resolution in sight. Peace initiatives by world leaders have stumbled, Western nations have backed Ukraine with weapons and aid, and Russia finds itself increasingly isolated. Amidst this backdrop, authors and journalists have produced books that help readers navigate the politics, history, and human cost of this prolonged war.
Trofimov’s Human-Centered Storytelling
One of the most praised works is Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine’s War of Independence by Yaroslav Trofimov, a Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter. Based in Kyiv when the invasion began, Trofimov witnessed the shock, resilience, and trauma of everyday Ukrainians.
Rather than just recounting military maneuvers, the book captures how civilians tried to survive under constant bombardment. Despite his deep ties to Ukraine, Trofimov maintains a journalist’s objectivity, weaving a narrative that feels as compelling as a novel while remaining grounded in fact.
Harding’s Wider Geopolitical Lens
If Trofimov provides emotion and intimacy, Luke Harding delivers breadth and analysis. In his book Invasion: The Inside Story of Russia’s Bloody War and Ukraine’s Fight for Survival, the veteran Guardian journalist combines frontline reporting with an exploration of how the war reshaped global politics.
Harding highlights the stark contrast between the two leaders: Zelensky, adaptable and open, versus Putin, portrayed as increasingly detached from reality. While less personal than Trofimov’s account, Harding’s work is essential for those wanting to see the bigger geopolitical picture behind the war.
History’s Long Shadow: Plokhy’s Perspective
For readers curious about the historical roots of today’s struggle, historian Serhii Plokhy offers The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History. Unlike the others, Plokhy doesn’t limit himself to recent events. Instead, he traces how centuries of Russian dominance and Ukrainian resistance have created a cycle of conflict that culminated in the current war.
His work is more academic but invaluable in showing that the invasion of 2022 cannot be understood without looking at the deep historical tensions between the two nations.
Mikhail Zygar: Narratives and Myths
In War and Punishment: The Story of Russian Oppression and Ukrainian Resistance, Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar examines the narratives and myths that shaped Moscow’s worldview. Known for his sharp insights into Kremlin politics, Zygar not only documents the ongoing war but also reflects on how both Putin and Zelensky came to embody opposing visions of their countries’ futures.
Accessible and engaging, Zygar’s book offers a blend of political analysis and cultural critique, making it a bridge between historical works like Plokhy’s and frontline accounts like Trofimov’s.
Why These Books Matter
Each of these authors approaches the war differently — through human experience, geopolitical framing, historical analysis, or cultural narratives. Taken together, they help readers understand why the war that was supposed to last a week has instead redrawn Europe’s future.
For anyone seeking to grasp not just the battles but the ideas, identities, and people at the heart of this conflict, these books are indispensable.
