The Russian War Against Ukraine: Investigations of Its Social and Historical Context, 2014–2024

This compelling collection of essays unveils various underlying layers of the Russo-Ukrainian War, casting it against a sweeping socio-historical backdrop. Far more than a military-political chronicle, this empirically rich volume—rooted in the contested terrain of history—delves into a tapestry of pressing themes: humanitarian ripples of neighboring alliances, fierce contests within the information arena, seismic shifts in social fabric, and intricate dimensions of identity transformation. The incisive analyses are often methodologically innovative, particularly in dissecting the functioning of occupation regimes within modern warfare and unearthing subtle yet striking historical parallels. It probes both the grand sweep of institutional forces and the intimate pulse of community life, offering a dual lens on the conflict’s far-reaching impact.
Spanning the first decade of the Russo-Ukrainian War, the essays defy a simple division into its two main phases, instead weaving a narrative that traces the unbroken threads and evolving dynamics of the struggle. Born from conference dialogues, this book does not chase exhaustive completeness. Rather, it embraces the enigma of an unfolding war and its uncertain horizon. With thought-provoking insights and space for contemplation, it beckons readers into the heart of a complex, living history.