Dominating Ukraine has been the cornerstone of Russian policy for centuries - now we are
witnessing a genocide. The Russian invasion of Ukraine brought large-scale warfare to Europe
reshaped relations between key global players and redefined existing alliances and
international organizations such as NATO and the European Union. It has killed tens of
thousands displaced millions revived the threat of a nuclear war between Russia and the West
and might unleash a global famine. Political scientist and historian of genocide Eugene Finkel
zooms in on the intersection of one of the most important geopolitical events in recent decades
and the most odious type of violence. Placing the war amid a long history of Russian political
violence he reveals how genocide and crimes against humanity have played a major role in
Ukrainian history - both concepts were coined by scholars from Lviv a city in western Ukraine
and Finkel's hometown. Focusing on violence against civilians on the ground as a lens to
understand the war he argues that the violence we are witnessing is a direct continuation of
the Kremlin's playbook when dealing with domestic and foreign opposition. He explores the
challenges of historical memory accountability for crimes committed by Russia and what will
be required for reconciliation between future generations of Ukrainians and Russians. Told
with the astonishing power that comes from Finkel's personal connection to this living history
and the authority of a lifetime's research Intent to Destroy is an ambitious account of the
war in Ukraine and how this violence will continue to shape global politics for decades to
come.
