The English edition of the book was published by Open Borders Press. It contains a chronicle of the third year of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“In a series of moving and compelling essays, Andrey Kurkov depicts life in wartime Kyiv, combining observations of how Ukrainians have adapted to the dangers and grief of an endless conflict with informed political analysis. The book includes the return of Trump to the White House and an attempt to humiliate Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the end of February 2025. Throughout the book, Kurkov tells the story of a people who meet aggression with dignity and humour, without allowing us to forget Putin’s responsibility,” the jury noted.
The winners will be announced on 25 June at the Bloomsbury Theatre as part of UCL200 — a programme marking the 200th anniversary of University College London. The judging panel in the “Political Writing” category includes Jessie Lau, Katie Prescott, Lawrence Freedman, Rohan Silva (chair), and Sam Bowman.
The George Orwell Prize, according to Orwell’s will, is awarded to works that “turn political writing into art.” The prize fund amounts to £3,000.