Overreach

The Russo-Ukrainian War stands as the most significant geopolitical crisis since the Second World War. At its heart lies a perplexing mystery: Vladimir Putin's dramatic shift from a shrewd, calculating leader to a reckless risk-taker, putting both his regime and Russia at the brink of destruction. What prompted this drastic change? Overreach, by journalist Owen Matthews, delves deep into this enigma, offering an unprecedented exploration of the conflict’s origins and early developments.

Drawing on more than 25 years of experience as a Moscow correspondent and his own familial ties to Russia and Ukraine, Matthews navigates through the historical grievances and modern-day paranoia that fuelled this catastrophic conflict. He takes readers into the Covid-restricted bubble where Putin, engulfed in a haze of dread about Western aggression, masterminded his audacious invasion. The narrative also ventures into the inner circle surrounding Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky, who emerged as an unforeseen hero in this dire battle.

Overreach features firsthand accounts from current and former insiders within the Kremlin and its sprawling propaganda apparatus. It includes the testimonies of captured Russian soldiers and on-the-ground reporting from the war zones of Russia and Ukraine. Through these perspectives, Matthews meticulously reconstructs not only the war's root causes but also the critical moments and decisions that shaped its first six months.

With its expansive scope and thorough analysis, Overreach is an essential read for understanding a conflict that has profoundly shaken Europe. This book is not just a record of the initial phases of the war; it is a powerful narrative that brings clarity to the tangled web of factors leading to one of the most shocking geopolitical upheavals of our time.