Invasion - Russia’s Bloody War and The Ukraine’s Fight for Survival

The first book to be written from the front line's of the ongoing Ukrainian War. This is a powerful, moving first draft of history written by the respected and Award-Winning Guardian journalist and #1 New York Times bestselling author. For months, the omens had pointed in one scarcely believable direction: Russia was about to invade The Ukraine. And yet, the world was stunned by the epochal scale of the assault that began just after dawn in February 2022. It was an attempt by one nation to devour another. Invasion is Luke Harding's compelling chronicle of the war that has now changed everything like nothing before or since. For this breathtaking work he spent months reporting on the ground during the build up to the conflict and stayed in place afterward; his book tells of the initial days of shock and panic, the grim reality of this now ongoing war, and the many unheard human stories behind the headlines like the now infamous comment made to a Russian naval warship when it ordered the defensive forces to surrender. Invasion also offers insightful portraits of the the war's two greatest personalities. One, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, is an actor-turned-president who rallied support on a global stage. The other, Vladimir Putin, is a dictator who dwells in a strange and unreachable realm. Luke Harding examines the ideological, religious and personal reasons behind Putin's decision to invade. And he confronts a crucial question: which side will prevail in this terrible war? With the rippling effects of the largest armed conflict in Europe since 1945 already being felt well beyond The Ukraine and Russia's borders, it is more vital than ever to understand the situation on the frontline. Written in Luke Harding's starkly transfixing style, Invasion makes for essential reading, but also includes many disturbing scenes including acts of War Crimes and torture, including photographs of these acts. Luke Harding is an award-winning foreign correspondent with The Guardian. Between 2007 and 2011, he was The Guardian’s Moscow bureau chief. The Kremlin expelled him from that country in the first case of its kind since the Cold War, and in summer 2022 put him on an official blacklist as a direct result of the reporting he undertook in Russia and afterwards. He has also been warned that should he be captured while reporting in The Ukraine, that he will be detained in a Russian prison indefinitely. He is currently based in The Ukraine and is the award winning Author of numerous books including, Mafia State, Collusion, A Very Expensive Poison and The Snowden Files. Married with children he usually resides in the UK when not overseas. All Author royalties from this edition will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee's Ukraine Fund. A FINALIST FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING The first book of reportage from the front line of the Ukraine war. This is a powerful, moving first draft of history written by the award-winning Guardian journalist and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Collusion and Shadow State. 'An excellent, moving account of an ongoing tragedy.' ANNE APPLEBAUM 'Compelling, important and heartbreaking.' SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORE 'Essential reading.' ELIOT HIGGINS, founder of Bellingcat 'Brilliant.' ANDREY KURKOV For months, the omens had pointed in one scarcely believable direction: Russia was about to invade Ukraine. And yet, the world was stunned by the epochal scale of the assault that began in February 2022. It was an attempt by one nation to devour another. Invasion is Luke Harding's compelling chronicle of the war that changed everything. For this breathtaking work of reportage he spent months reporting on the ground during the build up to the conflict and afterward; his book tells of the initial days of shock and panic, the grim reality of this ongoing war, and the unheard human stories behind the headlines. Invasion also offers insightful portraits of the the war's two great personalities. One, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, is an actor-turned-president who rallied support on a global stage. The other, Vladimir Putin, is a dictator who dwells in a strange and unreachable realm. Harding examines the ideological, religious and personal reasons behind Putin's decision to invade. And he confronts a crucial question: which side will prevail in this terrible war? With the ripple effects of the largest armed conflict in Europe since 1945 already being felt beyond Ukraine and Russia's borders, it is more vital than ever to understand how the situation on the front line will have profound effects for us all. Written in Luke Harding's starkly transfixing style, Invasion makes for essential reading. 'Luke Harding is one of the best reporters in the world.' ROBERTO SAVIANO, author of Gomorrah *** Author royalties from this edition will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee's Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. "In a damning, inspiring, and breathtaking narrative of what is likely to be a turning point for Europe--and the world--Guardian correspondent and New York Times bestselling author Luke Harding reports firsthand on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. When, just before dawn on February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin launched a series of brutal attacks, Harding was there, on the ground in Kyiv. But this senseless violence was met with astounding resilience--from, among others, the country's embattled president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy--and the courage of a people prepared to risk everything to preserve their nation's freedom." -- Back cover CONTENTS Title Page Map 1. The City 2. Lost Kingdom 3. Servant of the People 4. Fire and Sword 5. Heart of Darkness 6. Thermopylae 7. The Allies 8. Back in the USSR 9. The War for the East 10. The Captive Mind 11. Horizontal 12. A Proven State Acknowledgements Permissions Credits Index Photo section About the Author Also by Luke Harding Written in Luke Harding's starkly transfixing style, Invasion makes for essential reading.'Luke Harding is one of the best reporters in the world.'ROBERTO SAVIANO, author of Gomorrah***Author royalties from this edition will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee's Ukraine Fund.