The White Guard is the first full-length novel by the Russian writer Mikhail Bulgakov, written between 1923 and 1924. However, it was not published in its entirety until after Bulgakov's death. The novel is a remarkable exploration of the political and social turmoil following the Bolshevik Revolution and the civil war in Ukraine.

et in Kyiv during the winter of 1918-1919, The White Guard captures a time of dramatic political changes as the Russian Empire collapses and multiple factions vie for control of the region. The story revolves around the Turbin family, particularly the siblings Alexei and Elena, and their close friend Nikolai. The family is caught in the chaos as White Guard forces, Bolsheviks, and Ukrainian nationalists battle for dominance over the city.

The novel vividly portrays the personal and psychological struggles of individuals amid the disintegration of the old order and the rise of a new, chaotic reality. Bulgakov masterfully depicts daily life in Kyiv during a time of siege and upheaval, highlighting the loss of security and the collapse of traditional institutions.