Russian Strikes Destroy 13 Million Books, Threaten Industry

Russian strikes destroyed more than 13 million books in Ukraine over two months, about one-third of annual print output, causing at least $39.3 million (1.75 billion hryvnias) in damage. On Aug. 1, two explosive-laden Shahed drones struck Ranok's Kharkiv warehouse, destroying 8 million books including 620,000 textbooks after a fire burned nearly a week. Owner Viktor Kruglov said "Steel was blazing and burning" and that without strategic support measures "the industry could collapse entirely," adding "no one could have imagined that almost a year's turnover for Ranok could be destroyed at once." The 2013 automated hub had processed tens of thousands of books daily. At least 40 publishing houses and multiple bookstores were damaged. A July missile strike destroyed Konvi's press; Viktoriia Haidai said burned fourth-grade English textbook pages remained on the floor months later, replacement would cost 1.2 million euros ($1.37 million), and full restoration could take four to five years. Culture Minister Tetiana Berezhna called the attacks "a deliberate policy of Russia" and said "They've been doing it for centuries," adding Ukrainian language and literature still exist and "It shows us the hope that Ukraine will stay strong." The Culture Ministry is preparing a financial support package.