Books from Ukraine

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Ukrainian novelist and journalist Andrey Kurkov began documenting the unfolding catastrophe from the perspective of someone living through it. Diary of an Invasion combines personal diary entries, reportage, and historical reflection to chronicle the months leading up to the invasion and its devastating aftermath. As Kurkov and his family seek safety in western Ukraine, he records the experiences of displaced civilians, the destruction of communities, and the extraordinary determination of people struggling to preserve their everyday lives. Beyond documenting military events, Kurkov examines the complex historical relationship between Russia and Ukraine, the significance of language and cultural identity, and the resilience of Ukrainian society in the face of aggression. His observations are interwoven with moments of dark humour, compassion, and quiet defiance. Both an eyewitness account and a reflection on national identity, the book offers an intimate portrait of a country fighting not only for its territory but also for its cultural survival.