Dear friends of Ukraine!
In 2025, in the fourth year of the full-scale Russian invasion and the twelfth year since the start of Russian aggression, the world saw the English-language edition of a unique chronicle of one of the most important and tragic stages of the beginning of the war – the battle for Luhansk Airport in the spring and summer of 2014.
The main message that the authors and initiators of the project want to convey to the world is:
This war did not begin in 2022, but back in 2014. It continues to this day because it was not ended back then. And if it is not stopped once and for all at the current stage, it will continue in the future and may spread beyond Ukraine’s borders.
What is this book about?
The documentary chronicle describes the events related to the defense of Luhansk International Airport and the surrounding settlements (April – early September 2014), as well as the events that preceded the Russian occupation of Luhansk (winter-spring 2013-2014).
The team of volunteers collected memoirs of more than 140 participants and eyewitnesses of those events: military, volunteers, local residents, police and airport employees, medics, as well as unique photographs and maps illustrating military operations that took place around the airport. The book includes commentaries by military researchers, officers, and experts analyzing the main events. An important part of the book is a memorial honoring the heroes who gave their lives defending Luhansk Airport – a list containing information about 194 Ukrainian soldiers from various units who were killed in action.
Published in 2018, the Ukrainian-language edition of In the Ring of Fire became one of the bestsellers about the first stage of the modern Russo–Ukrainian War and remains popular to this day.
What is the purpose of this book in English?
Ten years after the events described in the book, we and our team of like-minded people decided to give the project a second life – to translate the book into English and make it available to a wide range of readers outside Ukraine.
Throughout 2024 and 2025, funds were raised for the book`s reissue, with hundreds of people contributing (over 20% of donations came from the US and other countries). In October 2025, the book was presented for the first time in Ukraine.
The expanded and updated English edition contains forewords and commentaries from military personnel who defended the airport and now hold important positions in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as from well-known military experts, scientists, and public figures. The cover features quotes from famous Ukrainians, which, together with commentaries from the military, convey the main messages that the book’s editors want to convey to the foreign readership:
- The operations of this battle are very different from those you have seen since 2022. Back then, the Ukrainian army was devastated and completely unprepared for the invasion of a huge, once “brotherly” nation.
- The heroism of Ukrainian defenders in the first stage of the war (2014), amid complete uncertainty, a devastated army, and virtually no support from other countries, is an impressive and instructive story that the world needs to hear.
- At the current stage, together with the entire civilized world, we must create all the conditions necessary to ensure that Russia has no desire, chance, or opportunity to continue this war or start a new one in the future.
- This book is a harsh, but timely reminder that impunity in security matters costs too much.
About the book “In the Ring of Fire: Defense of Luhansk Airport”
The English edition also includes clarification of context, timeline, geographic, cultural and historical elements for non-Ukrainian readers. All these additions place the events of 2014 within a broader and more current European and global security context.
Who is this book for?
This publication is primarily intended for:
- policymakers and economic, political, and military decision-makers,
- diplomats and experts in international and security policy,
- analysts and researchers from think tanks,
- members of the academic community,
- opinion leaders and change agents,
- journalists, correspondents, members of media.
The book serves as a tool of public and security diplomacy. It can be used to: 1) explain Ukraine’s experience of war, 2) expose the sweeping nature of Russian aggression, and 3) clarify the international importance of timely and decisive support for Ukraine.
Our goals
Our goals are:
1) to convey the truth about the actual beginning of the war to the international community,
2) to preserve strategic memory, and
3) to contribute to responsible global decision-making based on real wartime experience rather than illusions so prevalent in much of the media.
We would be grateful if you could share this story and support the project!