Vladimir Putin's Version of War and Peace

Like its predecessor, Eternal Putin? (Lexington, 2023), this book is a chronological and descriptive account of almost all facets of Russian life during a very short period of time; i.e. from the onset of Russia’s war on Ukraine in February 2022 to its presidential election in March 2024, and a little beyond. Its strength lies in its wealth of detail on Russia’s home front.

To set the stage, the first chapters cover the course of war featuring primarily its consequences for Russians at home. Their ripple effects follow in chapters on Russia’s politics, its economy, human and civil rights, and the Kremlin’s international relationships. Among the subjects featured in sub-sections are the ‘foreign agent’ frenzy, pressure against the LGBT community, schools as incubators of young ‘patriots’, healthcare, the environment, the media, Russia’s new diaspora in exile, Orthodoxy’s role, war crimes, and international sport.

Putin as vozhd (leader) is the subject of one chapter. Russia’s forced and chosen pivot to the East for political and economic allies are dealt with in another. Above all, Vladimir Putin’s Version of ‘War and Peace’: The Battle for the Russian Home Front, 2022-24 highlights the government’s attempts to create a loyal citizenry. Nowhere else is the battle for the home front covered so thoroughly.