Dr Olga Khomenko publishes "The Faraway Sky of Kyiv. Ukrainians in the War." in English

This week, as we mark the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Dr Olga Khomenko, CARA - Council for At-Risk Academics/The British Academy Fellow at the Nissan Institute, has published "The Faraway Sky of Kyiv. Ukrainians in the War." in English.

The book was originally published in Japanese last year by Chuo Koron Shinsha. It compiles narratives, shared by Dr Khomenko’s family members, friends, and former students, over the first two years of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The impetus for this endeavor was an interview Dr Khomenko gave for Japanese media in early 2022, which revealed a significant knowledge gap about Ukrainian history and culture. Driven by a deep sense of responsibility, Dr Khomenko wrote this book to amplify the voice of Ukrainians and their experiences in this war.

"This is my first book in English and I should feel proud, yet the truth is, I never intended to write a wartime memoir. I always believed I was too young for such a task. But war does not wait for us to be ready.

As a historian and scholar of Asian Studies with deep ties to Japan, I initially wrote these essays in Japanese as a way to process my emotions, document the trauma of war, and ensure that these experiences are not forgotten. More than anything, I wanted to give voice to my people—to let Ukrainians tell their own story.

I hope this book helps international readers understand what Ukrainians have felt since February 24, 2022, and the profound transformations our society has endured. While I would never choose to relive the pain of these past three years, through this book, I walk that path again—this time, with my readers by my side.

Thank you for reading, for supporting Ukraine, and for standing with us. Let’s stay strong."

The book will be available in the Bodleian Japanese Library, where there is already a copy of the original Japanese publication, and can also be purchased on Amazon.