Three years of war in Ukraine - for what?
The war in Ukraine has been raging for three years. What were Vladimir Putin's reasons for attacking Russia's neighbouring country? What is he trying to achieve? Where is it leading? Self-defence? Resources? Power? Questions upon questions. I looked for answers and consulted various specialised books.
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale military attack on its neighbour Ukraine. Three years ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin escalated the Russian-Ukrainian conflict into a war. The previous conflict had been smouldering since Russia's annexation of the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula of Crimea in 2014.
"The information could not be independently verified"
Anyone following media coverage of the war in Ukraine will have noticed that Swiss radio and television SRF, for example, very often uses the disclaimer in its articles: "The information could not be independently verified." For the interested layperson, this represents a major obstacle to getting a reasonably clear picture of the events for themselves. Correspondents on the ground provide at least partial relief.
In Europe, large sections of society at least agree that Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine the victim, which must be supported as much as possible in its defence. However, there are very different opinions on how this support should be provided. On the other hand, there are also different opinions globally and in Europe about the question of guilt or responsibility for the war, and there is not simply a united front against Russia and Putin.
More depth than fast-moving media
In three years of open warfare, in addition to the daily news, I have above all tried to get a deeper picture of the situation, but above all of the history of the conflict that has degenerated into war. A few specialised books were particularly helpful. Specialised books by people who know Russia and Ukraine, their history and the mechanics of power and conflict, and who understand them through many years of dealing with them. Journalists, historians, military strategists, politicians and photographers who can show me different perspectives to help me understand better.
Here are some books that have helped and continue to help me understand the reasons and motives that drive the actors, what happens in the countries and how the people there think and live:
Tim Marshall, "The Power of Geography"
British journalist Tim Marshall is an award-winning expert on foreign policy. He was a correspondent for the BBC and has reported from conflict regions around the world. In "The Power of Geography", he sheds light on ten regions of the world and vividly explains how the natural conditions of the regions, such as mountains, seas, rivers, deserts, climate, sheer size or available resources, influence the security and power politics of the countries. In the very first chapter, Marshall analyses Russia and how, for example, the expansion or lack of all-year-round navigable deep-sea ports have affected Russian expansion policy over the last 250 years. And still does today. You don't have to approve of Vladimir Putin's strategy in Ukraine after reading this book, but you will gain an understanding of why Ukraine is of such great importance to Putin and Russia.
Luzia Tschirky, "Live from Ukraine"
Luzia Tschirky was SRF's foreign correspondent in Russia for many years. After the outbreak of war, Tschirky reported from Ukraine for the first year and a half or so, visiting war zones in the east of the country, accompanying military units and showing what life was like for the population under the constant threat of Russian attacks. In her book, Tschirky describes the situation of the people in Ukraine in the same way she did as a TV journalist. Very close up and noticeably characterised by her own attitude. You might resent a journalist doing this from time to time, but she should report on events as neutrally as possible. I find it authentic that the stories she tells don't leave her cold and that she always takes sides. Nevertheless, and I already had this impression from her TV reports and appearances, she tends to underestimate Russia and Putin. All in all, however, the book provides a powerful insight into the lives of people in a war-torn country.
Boris Bondarev, "In the Ministry of Lies"
There is probably no better, more unbiased and direct insight into the inner workings of the Russian power apparatus and Vladimir Putin's foreign policy than Boris Bondarev's "In the Ministry of Lies". Bondarev was an employee of the Russian Foreign Ministry for 20 years and resigned three months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 - because of the invasion. The ex-diplomat provides a look behind the scenes. Inside the Russian state apparatus, which is riddled with corruption and authoritarian structures. But he also looks for perspectives for Russia beyond the war in Ukraine and Putin's rule. And he does not lose sight of the big picture, the European and global perspective.
Alexei Navalny, "Patriot"
A little more than a year after his unexplained death in Russian captivity, the name Alexei Navalny hardly seems familiar in Russia. Or at least no one seems willing to talk publicly about the best-known opposition figure and avowed opponent of Vladimir Putin. This was recently revealed by a survey conducted by the news agency AFP. Navalny's posthumously published autobiography "Patriot" provides an insight into his fight against the state apparatus and Putin. Above all, however, it provides an insight into the last period of his life in Russian captivity. And even though Navalny primarily recounts his own life, his struggle and his perspective, you also get a feeling for the Russian system, or rather the Putin system.
Anna Politkovskaya, "In Putin's Russia"
Non-fiction
EUR14,–
In Putin's Russia
German, Ulrike Zemme, Hannelore Umbreit, Anna Politkovskaya, 2022
Anyone who believes that Putin has only developed into an authoritarian ruler in recent years due to a perceived or real threat from the USA, NATO or "the West" in general, or that he started the war in Ukraine out of fear and self-defence, should urgently read Anna Politkovskaya's "In Putin's Russia". The Russian journalist described Vladimir Putin's "autocratic, authoritarian and inhuman policies" back in 2005. And she paid the highest price: on 7 October 2007, Politkovskaya was the victim of an assassination attempt. It is still unclear who was responsible. The European Court of Human Rights only ruled that the Russian investigative authorities had not made sufficient efforts.
Understanding how Putin thinks, not understanding his actions
I have already read some of these books in full, others at least diagonally. I have already learnt a lot from them. Questions have been answered, new ones have been raised and many have not been answered.
I now have a better understanding of where Putin comes from, how he possibly ticks and thinks. My assessment of the person and the situation has not changed as a result, on the contrary.
If you want to form your own opinion, which simply can't be conveyed by the fast and accurate reporting of many media outlets, one or other of these books is certainly a good starting point.
If you would rather rely on current media coverage for information, I recommend you take a look at the archive of Swiss television's "Sternstunde Philosophie" programme, for example. There you will find numerous interviews with various experts from different disciplines who discuss the war in Ukraine, Russia and Vladimir Putin or the conditions for a future peace.
Header image: Oliver Fischer
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Oliver Fischer
Teamleader Editorial
Oliver.Fischer@digitecgalaxus.chGlobetrotter, hiker, wok world champion (not in the ice channel), word acrobat and photo enthusiast.
