War and Punishment by Mikhail Zygar

This is an exploration of why Russia invaded Ukraine and why now. It explores Russian attitudes to Ukraine over the past 350 years – a tale of big brother chauvinism and oppression, and the colonial ideas continue to shape how most Russians think about Kyiv, with Moscow cast not as aggressor but victim. In summer 2021 Russia’s president published an essay setting out a manifesto for war: that Ukraine was never a state, people, or community. Instead, he claimed that Russia, Belarus and Ukraine were part of an ancient spiritual and cultural space, with their joint origins in the ninth-century princedom of Kyivan Rus. Putin hatched his plan during the pandemic, and truly, it was personal. Putin never forgave Zelenskiy after the comedian did a TV sketch poking fun at Alina Kabaeva, a gymnast and Putin’s alleged mistress. Zelenskiy’s extraordinary career: from student performer to celebrity entertainer and Uranian leader--to be sure, it was a long shot, and entirely improbable and unexpected. After playing Ukraine’s president in the show Servant of the People, Zelenskiy decided to become the real president – a joke that turned serious. Putin hoped to cut him off at the knees, embarrass him on a world stage, and that clearly backfired. Instead he is a globally admired man, while Putin is reviled. This is a well written read, going through the history of the area, the faulty thinking, a play to wipe out a culture and a leader that has gone horribly wrong, even if they prevail in the end.