Writers, historians and journalists have been documenting the Russian invasion since 2014. It is thanks to the works of foreign authors that the world has been able to open its eyes to the real events and to reveal the truth of this brutal war. Read more about the best books about the Russian-Ukrainian war written by foreigners

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The russian-Ukrainian war has been going on for more than 10 years, and over 1300 books have been written and published during this time. We are convinced that even more works will be written about the full-scale invasion phase. Diaries, poems, memoirs, novels, and other works help to capture the memory, tell the world about Ukrainian courage, and convey the message "never again" to future generations. 

A special place in this book selection belongs to works written by foreign authors. Some of them were in Ukraine at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, others were volunteering and helping refugees, and others were collecting stories of ordinary people. But it is their work that demonstrates how people abroad perceive Ukraine, Ukrainians, and the war.

We have created for you a selection of the best books about the russian-Ukrainian war written by foreigners. 

Simon Schuster, "Showman: Inside the Invasion that Shook the World and Made Volodymyr Zelenskyy a Leader" 

"The Showman: Inside the Invasion that Shook the World and Made Volodymyr Zelenskyy a Leader by Simon Shuster is one of the most anticipated books about the russian-Ukrainian war, telling the story of Volodymyr Zelenskyy's life and presidency. The chronicle, from the dressing rooms of comedy shows to the trenches of war, is written by journalist Simon Shuster, who has spent a lot of time with Zelensky over the past 4 years, including the period of full-scale war.

Shuster accompanied Zelenskyy on numerous trips to the front and conducted dozens of interviews with his wife, friends, advisors, ministers, and military commanders. The book provides a candid look at the president's evolution from television actor to internationally recognized leader.

It is the first inside account of Zelenskyy's life under invasion. Members of his inner circle show how Volodymyr's character changed under the burden of leadership and the horrors he witnessed on a daily basis. For example, Olena Zelenska describes her flight from Kyiv with her children, life abroad, and the tensions in her marriage as she struggled to return to a public role. And General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi shares the story of his difficult relationship with the president and its consequences.

Olesya Khromeychuk, "The Death of a Soldier Told by His Sister"

"The Death of a Soldier, Told by His Sister by Olesia Khromeychuk is a combination of memoirs and essays that tell the story of the author's brother and the history of Ukraine at the same time. The book describes the experience of experiencing the death of her brother in the war in Ukraine and the act of resistance against the brutal war.

Olesya Khromeychuk is the director of the Ukrainian Institute in London and moved to Britain when she was 16. After living abroad, her brother Volodymyr returned to Ukraine and volunteered for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Volodymyr was killed by shrapnel in 2017. As she tries to come to terms with her loss, Olesia reflects on the Russian invasion as a historian, a woman, and a sister.

Timothy Snyder, "The Road to Unfreedom: russia, Europe, America"

Timothy Snyder's book The Road to Unfreedom: russia, Europe, America explores the events of the 2010s, linking russia's first invasion of Ukraine to its interference in the US elections. Snyder analyzes politics, cyberspace, ideology, and propaganda under putin, explaining the russian dictator's motivations and the importance of Ukraine to global democracy.

Timothy Snyder is a renowned American author and historian who specializes in the history of Central and Eastern Europe, particularly the Holocaust. He is a professor of history at Yale University and a research fellow at the Institute for the Humanities in Vienna. Snyder also serves on the Council on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Conscience of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The author of numerous books on the history of Eastern Europe and the Holocaust, Snyder is fluent in Ukrainian, French, German, Polish, Czech, Slovak, russian, and Belarusian. His writings are characterized by deep analysis and broad knowledge, making him one of the leading experts in his field.

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Kyle Duncan and Esther Fedorkiewicz, "Hope for Ukraine: Stories of Courage and Grace from the Frontlines"

The book "Hope for Ukraine: Stories of Courage and Grace from the Frontlines" by Kyle Duncan and Esther Fedorkiewicz is a collection of interviews with Ukrainians who stayed in the country during the war. It contains stories from the military, humanitarian workers, volunteers, and refugees recorded in late March and early April 2022.

The authors, who have family ties to Ukraine, decided to write this book at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The book combines personal stories with elements of war reportage, taking the reader into the harsh reality of war-torn Ukraine. It tells the story of people fleeing from bombs destroying their homes and rescuing orphans trapped in russian tanks.

These stories of real Ukrainians overcoming terrible difficulties with courage emphasize the importance of faith in God. Even amidst the chaos and tragedy of Europe's largest war since World War II, the authors emphasize that God is working in a saving way.

If you want to support the freedom-loving spirit of Ukrainians who are tirelessly fighting for their rights and principles, join the Victory community with Visit Ukraine. Order merchandise on our website and become an ambassador of Ukraine in the world, and we will transfer part of the proceeds from your purchase to support those affected by the war.

Sebastian Gober, "Ukraine. Heroes in spite of themselves"

The book "Ukraine. Heroes in spite of themselves" by French journalist Sebastian Gober, who lives in Kyiv, is a kind of love letter to Ukraine. Gober tries to understand why Ukrainians resist aggression so strongly, expressing his thoughts in a subjective text that reflects his vision of the country and its people.

The author uses interviews with prominent Ukrainian figures such as Tetiana Ogarkova, Volodymyr Yermolenko, Bohdana Neborak, and Bohdan Logvynenko to better understand the essence of Ukrainian resistance. Through their stories and his own observations, Gober explores unique aspects of Ukrainian society, culture, and identity.

The book is not only an analytical study, but also an emotional immersion into the events and lives of Ukrainians who are remarkable for their resilience and courage. Gober tries to convey to European readers the true face of Ukraine, to show its beauty, complexity and the strength of its people's spirit.

This book is an important contribution to the understanding of modern Ukraine and its struggle for independence, as it reveals the deep reasons and motivations of Ukrainians in their quest for freedom through personal stories and interviews with key figures.

Christopher Miller, "War Came to Us: Life and Death in Ukraine"

The book "War Came to Us: Life and Death in Ukraine" by Christopher Miller, a correspondent for the Financial Times, tells the story of Ukraine's struggle for freedom. Miller was on the scene when the first russian missiles fell and troops broke through the border. His book is based on personal experience, frontline reporting and interviews with Ukrainian heroes.

The book covers the key events of Ukraine's recent history - from the steppes of Donbas to the heart of Euromaidan in Kyiv; from the Black Sea shores of Crimea, where russian troops suddenly annexed the peninsula, to the bloody battlefields where Cossacks roamed. The book also describes the horrors and destruction caused by russian troops in Bucha, Bakhmut, Mariupol, and other cities.

Miller has been active in expressing support for Ukraine on Twitter, although his previous posts before the full-scale invasion were controversial, particularly regarding the Azov regiment. He positions himself as an expert on Eastern Europe and Ukraine, but his book may be perceived as an attempt to capitalize on the current relevance of the russian-Ukrainian war. Readers should approach the book with a critical eye, understanding the context of its creation and the author's biases.

Christopher A. Lawrence, "The Battle for Kyiv"

Christopher A. Lawrence's book The Battle of Kyiv highlights the heroic resilience of Ukrainians in the first month of the war. The author analyzes in detail the political and military support provided to Ukraine by NATO and other countries. The book examines the first phase of the war, when russian troops advanced on Kyiv, surrounded Chernihiv, captured Kherson twice, and threatened the existence of the Ukrainian state.

This work is intended as an important historical document that describes the uncertainty and anxiety faced not only by the belligerents but also by the entire world. The author, Christopher A. Lawrence, a professional historian and military analyst, is the Executive Director and President of the Dupuy Institute, an organization dedicated to the research and analysis of historical data related to armed conflicts.

We remind you! The majority of the countries participating in the Peace Summit adopted a final document based on three important aspects that Ukraine insisted on. Read more about how the event went in general, what the document contained, and what to expect next.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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