War and Punishment

From an award-winning Russian journalist, a brisk, clearly written history of Ukraine—from its emergence as a post-Soviet oligarchic state to a progressive country with increasing economic, cultural, and political ties to Europe and the US—which have led to Putin’s current brutal attempt to obliterate Ukraine’s independence. As soon as the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, prominent independent Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar circulated a Facebook petition signed first by hundreds of his cultural and journalistic contacts and then by thousands of others. That act led to a new law in Russia criminalizing criticism of the war, and Zygar fled Russia.

In his time as a journalist, Zygar has interviewed President Zelensky and had access to many of the major players—from politicians to oligarchs. As an expert on Putin’s moods and behavior, he has spent years studying the Kremlin’s plan regarding Ukraine, and here, in clear, chronological order he explains how we got here. In 1996 to 2004, Ukraine became an indepen