What I’m Reading
a guide to trustworthy & noteworthy resources about the war in Ukraine — Pt. 1
Throughout its history, journalism has often experienced defining moments at times of war. For better or for worse, the saddest times of humankind lay bare the vital importance of a free press that operates with great care for accuracy, trustworthiness, and empathetic storytelling.
What is true in times of peace is perhaps even doubly so true in times of war: we need stories that unite the need for informing the public of important events with the need to provide context, and the need to dig deep and tell meaningful, personal stories. The headline news that dominates the news cycle needs to be filled with life.
The sheer presence of modern information cycles makes it difficult to cut through the noise. The wealth of information has become overwhelming. Creating a healthy news diet that includes the information one needs to understand the world and brings one the human stories of the event in question is difficult.
A bonus obstacle is that it becomes increasingly difficult to filter the available information down to accurate, verifiable, and trustworthy sources.
Over the next three weeks, I share a guide to trustworthy and noteworthy resources about the war in Ukraine. In three parts, I recommend a variety of stories that come from different sources that share one quality: they produce accurate, high-quality journalism you can trust. The stories I have chosen will help you follow the conflict, understand its context, and show you the human side of this war.
The Basics
A good starting point for understanding the conflict is this timeline of the relations between Russia and Ukraine I found in The New York Times.
You’ll learn the important events in recent years, how the removal of a Ukrainian President in 2014, “who was friendly to Russia’s interests,” as The New York Times writes it, set the events in motion that eventually led to what we experience today.
But you’ll also read about the historical ties and developments that should not be forgotten. A short but valuable read.
I found a second overview resource in the German-language Swiss daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung. Their interactive maps provide a geographical overview of the war.
You’ll learn about the current battles and events, refugee streams, troop movements, tactical options. The site is regularly updated and reads like a timeline of the war.
The maps have explainer text that’s in German only, but navigating the maps should be possible. If you prefer a translation-free experience, maybe the interactive maps on The Guardian are worth a visit.
Finally, a live blog from a trustworthy news outlet is a good way to stay informed about new developments and discover stories that go beyond the headlines as well. My go-to source is The New York Times. Other options, for example, include The Guardian or the German weekly Die Zeit.
Perspective
Once the foundational layer of information on the basics of the conflict is complete, it’s time to think about adding context.
Context is a key element of journalism; for reporting and reading the news. It adds knowledge and depth and enriches the understanding of the issue in question.
Politico Magazine published an interview with Fiona Hill that offers that deep knowledge.
Ms. Hill served in multiple U.S. administrations (from both parties) and is currently with the Foreign Policy program at Brookings Institute, where she is a senior fellow in the Center on the United States and Europe.
Her extensive research on Russia, paired with her expertise gained through her advisory roles, makes her analysis of the situation insightful and valuable.
She places the conflict in a context you can understand, explains the origins of Putin’s current actions, and outlines what the world can do to stop it from growing worse.
That’s a task, Hill feels, that’s bigger than NATO, a task that requires a worldwide response. Down to “ordinary companies” or people like you and me.
You’ll also learn why 2007/2008 was a critical juncture for what we see today.
The interview is an intriguing look at Putin as well. She talks about the dangers of his display of “visceral emotion,” as she characterizes his recent decision-making. And Hill touches on the role of the 2024 elections in Russia and potential personal motivations that might drive Putin.
The interview is a longer read. There’s too much valuable information in it to mention everything, I highly recommend this read.
Two final points: while many people think and talk about the Soviet Union as kind of a shining beacon from the past that Putin might try to recreate in a modern form, Hill goes a step further into the past and speaks about the role of the Russian Empire, an entity preceding the Soviet Union and surpassing it in size.
Finally, I find one message important to stress. Hill believes we should be alarmed and realize what this crisis is. But we should not be afraid or lose hope.
Waiting For War
The first stories I recommend show life in Ukraine in the weeks and days leading up to the invasion.
ZUMA Press brings us a beautiful photo essay called WAITING for PUTIN: Ukraine Braces.
Published in early February 2022, photographers Bryan Smith and Celestino Arce Lavin capture civilians as they adjust to the rising tensions and looming war.
While the threat of war had been with Ukrainians for a long time, the signs had become ominous in early February. The pictures reveal determined people. Life continues, despite preparations for an invasion and protests against the outlook of war.
The photographers capture a wide variety of Ukrainian life, from ordinary day-to-day tasks to the training of civilian defense brigades, religious practices, the sights of Kyiv with short explanations.
The pictures are beautiful and emotional. The staring graffiti eyes grab me, make me stop and think. An incredible picture. You’ll find portraits of determination and calmness. The picture of the two runners feels so normal. It’s relatable, and I love the composition.
Another one of my favorite pictures is all about the details. During a practice exercise for civilians, a woman learns to handle an automatic weapon. The frame shows the rifle, the woman’s hands operating it, and a male instructor in the background.
It’s an emotional and powerful essay that paints a beautiful picture of Ukrainian life weeks before the invasion began. It’s a story about the people. It’s a story that the world needs to see.
The second story I hope you read brings us closer to the outbreak of the invasion. Ukraine Enclaves Long Steeped in Conflict Face New Peril was published in The New York Times on February 22, 2022.
Writer Andrew E. Kramer and photographer Lynsey Addario show us the consequences of the looming war for the people living in the eastern parts of Ukraine, where two breakaway territories have had their grip of uncertainty on the region for the last eight years.
When military activity intensified in the days leading to the invasion, locals had a decision to make. Stay or flee westward.
This is their story, documented with empathy and care, shared through emotional, strong pictures and words that convey the facts as effectively as the emotions of the situation. The picture of the young family sheltering in a basement could stand on its own, a photographically beautiful but emotionally sad summary of the conflict.
It’s Begun
Before I leave you to your readings, I like to show you one more example, a story from the first days of the war. Without spending many more words, hop over and read (and see) for yourself.
Russia Advances on 3 Ukrainian Cities, but Meets Fierce Resistance is a solid example of how you can stay informed on what’s going on without getting overwhelmed with the emotional heft that the 24/7 news cycle can have. Instead of tuning in all the time, I find it more productive and emotionally healthier to deliberately pick stories like this one and tune out the noise of constant news elsewhere.
The article offers relevant facts and updates. And it doesn’t forget the human side of the war, especially through the extraordinary pictures.
With that, I’ll leave you to your readings and hope you’ve found something of value today.
The second part of this guide to trustworthy and noteworthy Ukraine resources is coming on Friday. I’ll share stories from the other side, articles that dive into strategic observations, and have more examples of the stories that matter most, the human side of the conflict.
Before that, however, I have a special What I’m Reading post on a book of photographic, historical, and empathetical inspiration and education.
And if all goes to plan, I also have the re-launch of a series on all things journalism, photography, and writing soon after that. Until then, happy reading and viewing.
