The Conflict That Outlasted Predictions
When Russia began its assault on Ukraine in February 2022, few believed the conflict would last long. Many assumed Moscow’s overwhelming military superiority, combined with Vladimir Putin’s iron-fisted leadership, would bring Kyiv to its knees within weeks. Volodymyr Zelensky, once a comedian turned president, was widely underestimated.
Instead, Europe is still witnessing its bloodiest conflict since World War II. More than three years later, with drone strikes, missile attacks, and frontline battles continuing, there is no clear end in sight. Mediation attempts have faltered, alliances have hardened, and what began as a “special military operation” has transformed into a grinding war of attrition. Unsurprisingly, a steady stream of books has emerged to explain, document, and reflect on the crisis.
Yaroslav Trofimov’s Portrait of Resilience
One of the most compelling voices is Yaroslav Trofimov, chief foreign-affairs correspondent of The Wall Street Journal. His book Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine’s War of Independence captures the human side of the war.
Written with both urgency and empathy, the 400-page narrative recounts stories of ordinary Ukrainians enduring air raids, blackouts, and constant uncertainty. Although Trofimov was born in Kyiv and his sympathies clearly lean toward Ukraine, he strives for objectivity, documenting not only the terror but also the resilience of the nation. The book’s title, drawn from Ukraine’s national anthem, reflects the spirit of defiance at its heart.
Luke Harding’s Analysis of Power and Politics
In Invasion: The Inside Story of Russia’s Bloody War and Ukraine’s Fight for Survival, Luke Harding of The Guardian provides a different lens. Where Trofimov emphasizes lived experience, Harding emphasizes structure, tracing the roots of the conflict and situating it within global politics.
Harding draws sharp comparisons between Zelensky and Putin. He portrays the Ukrainian leader as adaptable, grounded, and unexpectedly strong, while describing Putin as detached, a man existing in “a strange and unreachable realm.” Harding’s approach is less emotional but highly valuable for readers who want a panoramic understanding of why the war happened and how it continues to unfold.
Serhii Plokhy: The Weight of History
For historical depth, Serhii Plokhy, Harvard professor and leading historian of Eastern Europe, offers The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History. Rather than focusing solely on present-day battles, Plokhy situates the invasion within centuries of strained relations between Russia and Ukraine.
His work explains how cultural identity, imperial ambitions, and long-standing Russian perceptions of Ukraine as part of its own territory have shaped today’s war. The narrative may feel academic, but its strength lies in providing the long view revealing that today’s headlines are the culmination of conflicts that began long before 2022.
Mikhail Zygar: Stories and Myths That Shape Nations
Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar, well known for his book All the Kremlin’s Men, takes a more cultural approach in War and Punishment: The Story of Russian Oppression and Ukrainian Resistance. Zygar blends modern-day politics with references from Russian literature and folklore, showing how myths have influenced the Kremlin’s worldview.
He also paints portraits of both Putin and Zelensky, presenting them not just as political leaders but as products of their cultural environments. Zygar’s style is more accessible than Plokhy’s and appeals to readers seeking narrative storytelling alongside political insight.
Why These Accounts Matter
Together, these authors highlight that the war is far more than a clash of armies. It is also a struggle of ideas, identities, and historical memory. Trofimov offers the human narrative, Harding delivers journalistic scope, Plokhy adds historical grounding, and Zygar examines cultural undercurrents.
As the conflict drags on, these works stand as crucial documents of how the world’s perception of Russia, Ukraine, and their leaders is being shaped in real time. For readers and historians alike, they are indispensable guides to understanding the complex face-off between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.
