This study examines the contemporary dimensions of Russian military fiction and Ukrainian war writing. The research highlights the significant surge in Ukrainian war literature following the 2014 Russian invasion, with over 200 books published by 2019, primarily authored by soldiers, veterans, volunteers, and witnesses. In contrast, the research identifies a trend in Russian literature predating the conflict, with novels published as early as 2009 depicting full-scale military invasions of Ukraine in the nearest future. These works, while lacking in artistic merit, have been leveraged by Russian media to claim prophesying the war.
The study argues that beyond the actual invasion, a war of narratives has been unfolding in contemporary literature for years. It emphasizes the role of literature in shaping public perception and historical memory of the war, highlighting the stark differences in approach between Ukrainian authors documenting lived experiences and Russian authors engaging in speculative fiction. This research contributes to the understanding of how literature serves as a medium for processing national trauma, preserving historical memory, and potentially influencing geopolitical narratives in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian War.