Putin vs Zelensky The Russo Ukrainian War

Putin vs. Zelensky: The Russo-Ukrainian War: Why It’s Happening and How It All Got Started is an accessible history of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine for young readers. Ben Thompson explains the background of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on 24 February 2022, through the intertwined political, cultural, and family histories of Russian president Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. Rather than treating the war as an isolated event, the book reaches back to the fall of the Russian Empire and follows the changing relationship between Russia and Ukraine through the Soviet era and into the present conflict. It examines Russia’s emphasis on a shared past alongside Ukraine’s struggle to protect its independent identity, language, culture, and sovereignty. Published by Roaring Brook Press on 19 August 2025, the 240-page book is a detailed, conversational primer intended for readers roughly aged 12 and above, while also serving adults who want an introductory overview. Because the Russo-Ukrainian War is ongoing, the book is best understood as historical background and context rather than a complete account of later developments. Its main strength is helping readers see how long-term historical narratives, national identity, and individual political leadership shaped the conditions surrounding the invasion.