Overreach: The Inside Story of Putin’s War Against Ukraine

By Owen Matthews

Overreach” lives up to its subtitle; providing the reader with a an eye opening account of Putin’s march to war, told though the words of those close to the centre of power in Moscow. The book, based on the author’s contemporary reporting on the conflict, touches on the historical context of the conflict before delving into the build up to Putin’s 2022 invasion and the first year of the war. It is, therefore, not surprising that the book has a journalistic tone, making it an easy read. The author crafts the narrative in a way that draws the reader in, even though we know how the story ends.

The book crafts history and politics together, moving seamlessly from the strategic to the tactical level. That said, like many books written during the events that it contains, there is a narrowness to the perspective it gives. One obvious example being the account of the destruction of Nordstream 2, which is challenged by recent reporting. However, the benefits of having such a raw telling of the stories of those involved in the war far outweighs the downsides.

Matthews is clearly well connected on both sides of the conflict, as one would expect from someone of Ukrainian descent and who has spent significant periods as a reporter in Moscow. His sources from Russia paint a fascinating picture of life in Putin’s regime. One really gets a sense of claustrophobia from the descriptions of the post-covid Kremlin and his own personal vignettes, including a description of the author getting his son out of Russia as conscription loomed. Through a series of interviews with Kremlin insiders, Matthews illuminates the decision-making processes that led to the war. The reader learns about the high-level political manoeuvres of Putin’s inner circle, who was drawn in to the planning process and who was left out in the cold. What is interesting from the perspective of a Western reader is the portrayal of Putin as a rational leader, acting on his world view, rather than a blood thirsty madman bent on destruction. This perspective is not always presented in western media, but the author is one of many experts on Russia trying to get this message out.

Overall, the book is a must for anyone who wants to understand why we face the most dangerous geopolitical situation since the end of the second world war. It is an accessible account of the prelude and early days of the war, written by an authority on Russian politics, using sources from the heart of the regime that launched the invasion.

Captain Mark Whitfield

Published byMudlark 432 pages

ISBN 978-0008562748