Frank Ukrainian history: 5 books dedicated to 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Independent Ukraine. Its history faced a lot: ups and downs, defeats and victories; all these are common achievements of people, not indifferent to the creation of Ukraine and its future. So for Independence Day, we offer a selection of books about history, which can not be changed, but which teaches each of us how to move forward.

"I'll mix your blood with coal." How to understand Ukrainian East by Oleksandr Mykhed

Six cities of Luhansk and Donetsk regions will appear before you like an open book of locals' life during the war. Each city with its own history, its own conflicts, and the direction of thinking.

Oleksandr Mykhed made a working expedition to the East of Ukraine to reduce the distance between the story and the reader and to convey the principles, views, and opinions of the people of Donbas, which for many reasons were divided into "we" and "they." The book consists of the author's observations, travel notes, archival information, and six conversations with natives of the East: Ihor Kozlovskyi, Alevtyna Kakhidze, Roman Minin, Serhii Zhadan, Olena Stiazhkina, and Volodymyr Rafieienko.

"At the entrance to the city, the 'Lysychansk' sign is so dusty and smoky that it seems dark gray. In the house on Lenina, 177, I see a huge hole. It was as if a huge piece had been gnawed out of the cake. The scars are reminiscent of July 2014 and the liberation of the city."