A War No One Thought Would Last Years
When Vladimir Putin ordered Russian forces into Ukraine in 2022, most analysts predicted a swift victory. Russia’s size, power, and global influence dwarfed that of its neighbor. Facing it was Ukraine, led by Volodymyr Zelensky a former comedian turned wartime president.
What was expected to be a campaign of days has turned into a multi-year conflict, reshaping European politics and claiming countless lives. The longest and most devastating war in Europe since World War II has produced not just battlefronts but also a growing library of books trying to explain its causes, consequences, and the clash of personalities driving it.
A Ground-Level Chronicle: Yaroslav Trofimov
Among the most gripping works is Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine’s War of Independence by Yaroslav Trofimov of the Wall Street Journal. Trofimov was present in Kyiv when missiles began to fall, and his 400-page account combines war reporting with the everyday struggles of Ukrainians under fire.
Deeply empathetic yet rooted in journalistic discipline, Trofimov captures both the terror of invasion and the courage of resistance, making his book read almost like a war novel.
The Broader Overview: Luke Harding
In contrast, Invasion: The Inside Story of Russia’s Bloody War and Ukraine’s Fight for Survival by Luke Harding provides a wider lens. Harding, a seasoned Guardian correspondent, recounts not only the frontline battles but also the political and cultural divides that shape the war.
He paints a striking contrast between Putin, increasingly detached from reality, and Zelensky, who emerged as an unexpected wartime leader. Harding’s book may not be as emotional as Trofimov’s, but it offers a strategic and geopolitical view of the war’s unfolding.
History’s Weight: Serhii Plokhy
Historian Serhii Plokhy adds depth with The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History. Instead of focusing solely on the current invasion, Plokhy traces centuries of Russian dominance and Ukrainian resistance, showing how long-standing tensions erupted once again in 2022.
For readers wanting context beyond daily headlines, this work reveals the historical layers behind today’s struggle.
Kremlin Insights: Mikhail Zygar
Another compelling perspective comes from Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar in War and Punishment: The Story of Russian Oppression and Ukrainian Resistance. Zygar explores how Moscow’s narratives, propaganda, and political culture shaped Putin’s worldview and how Zelensky’s leadership challenges it.
Blending analysis with storytelling, Zygar’s work explains not just the military conflict but also the clash of ideas and identities at its heart.
Why Readers Turn to These Books
Together, these titles show that the war is not only about tanks and missiles but also about history, culture, politics, and resilience. They provide context for a conflict that refuses to end, helping readers see why a war expected to last a week has instead become a turning point for Europe and the world.
