Key facts
- Russian attacks in July and early August destroyed approximately 10 million books in Ukraine.
- The destruction includes 8 million books at RNK-Ranok's Kharkiv warehouse and over 1.5 million in Kyiv.
- An estimated 600,000 school textbooks were also lost.
- The total financial loss is preliminarily estimated at nearly 1 billion hryvnias (£16.5m).
- The Ukrainian Book Institute is seeking international donations and awareness about attacks on Ukrainian culture.
- A Russian attack on August 16 destroyed stalls and books at the Pochaina book market in Kyiv.
The Ukrainian Book Institute has appealed to the international publishing community for assistance following Russian attacks that destroyed approximately 10 million books and significantly damaged the country's book production capacity. Attacks in July and early August targeted publishing houses, printing facilities, and warehouses, putting some companies at risk of financial ruin.
A major strike on August 1 hit the RNK-Ranok publishing group's logistics center in Kharkiv, destroying about 8 million books and 600,000 school textbooks. This followed earlier attacks in Kyiv in July that resulted in the loss of over 1.5 million books. The total destruction represents roughly 30% of Ukraine's annual book output.
The RNK-Ranok logistics center also serves as the distribution hub for KnyhoLand, a national bookselling chain with 51 shops and online presence. The preliminary financial damage is estimated at nearly 1 billion hryvnias (£16.5m).
Oleksandra Koval, director of the Ukrainian Book Institute, stated that the entire book ecosystem faces a risk of collapse. The institute is soliciting donations and urging global publishers to raise awareness about Russia's attacks on Ukrainian culture.
On August 16, a Russian attack in Kyiv caused a fire at the Pochaina book market, destroying numerous stalls, books, and vendor property. This market, established in 1997, was formerly one of Ukraine's largest book trading hubs.
The institute emphasized the strategic importance of the book industry in preserving and promoting Ukrainian culture and providing a platform for the nation's voice. While the Ukrainian government is developing support programs, the institute believes state aid alone will not fully cover the publishers' losses.
Olena Odynoka, deputy director for international cooperation at the institute, highlighted the critical role of Ukrainian publishing in defending the nation's identity and narrative against Russian attempts to erase its culture. She stressed that supporting Ukrainian publishers is essential for defending Ukraine's right to self-expression.
The institute also called for a cessation of cooperation with Russian publishers and literary agencies, underscoring the need for solidarity to protect cultural heritage targeted by Russia.