In preparation for a military confrontation with Nazi Germany, the Soviet leadership made defense plans based on the fact that Ukraine would be a priority target for the enemy. Immediately before the start of hostilities, unprecedented efforts were made to increase the level of combat effectiveness of military units stationed on the borders of our country, as well as powerful defensive structures were created. Nevertheless, due to a number of reasons, all these measures did not have the desired effect. What is the reason for the failures of the Red Army at the initial stage of the war in Ukraine? How did the Wehrmacht manage to achieve such a quick and complete success in the non-main direction of the strike? Were conclusions drawn from what happened? The reader will be able to find the answer to these and other questions in the book by V.A. Runova "1941. A blow to Ukraine."