War Diary

The essential, deeply penetrating diary of life in Kiev during the first days of Putin's invasion by the acclaimed author of Lucky Breaks

'How do you remain an artist at such a moment of terror? One answer might come in the form of Belorusets's war diary which she began publishing as the invasion started and which has gained the appreciation of writers like Margaret Atwood and Miranda July' Atlantic

'The surreal circumstances Belorusets depicts, both in her writing and in the accompanying photographs, set against the drama of war are quietly disturbing. A compelling portrait of a nation under siege as well as the inspiring resilience of ordinary Ukrainians' Kirkus Reviews

The artist and writer Yevgenia Belorusets was in her hometown of Kyiv when Russia's invasion of Ukraine began on the morning of February 24, 2022. For her and millions of Ukrainians, reality changed overnight. She set out to document the war and its effects on the ordinary residents of the country: the relentless sound of sirens and gunfire; intense moments of connection and solidarity with strangers; the struggle to make sense of a good mood on a spring day.

Published each day in German by the newspaper Der Spiegel and in English by ISOLARII, War Diary had an immediate impact worldwide. Issued here with a new preface and more recent entries by the author, it stands as a unique monument to the devastation and resilience of a city under siege.