The special military operation in Ukraine became another existential challenge for Russian literature, a test of its preservation of historical traditions and the status of greatness. The same challenges were for our literature in their time: the Patriotic War of 1812, the Eastern (Crimean) War, the First World War and the Civil War, the Great Patriotic War. The special military operation deepened the split that appeared in Russian literature after the reunification of Crimea with Russia. Some writers — Boris Akunin, Dmitry Bykov, Lyudmila Ulitskaya and others condemned first the return of Crimea, and then the special military operation in Ukraine. Some, on the contrary, welcomed the return of Crimea and supported the military operation. Among them are Aleksandr Prokhanov, Zakhar Prilepin, Yuri Polyakov, Anna Dolgareva, Igor Karaulov, Semyon Pegov, German Sadulaev, Aleksandr Pelevin. The main reason why Russian writers turn to the topic of the special military operation is that it has become the most important event in the modern history of Russia, the outcome of which determines the fate of the country and its citizens. At the same time, the special military operation, like any major war, gives writers unique material for studying human character.