Russian Strikes Destroy 15 Million Books in Ukraine

Russian drone and missile strikes destroyed approximately 15 million new books across Ukraine, representing nearly half of the country's annual production. The attacks targeted the Pochaina book market and Konvi Print in Kyiv, as well as a warehouse belonging to Ranok Publishing in Kharkiv, where two jet-powered drones destroyed eight million books, including 620,000 textbooks.

Viktor Kruglov, Chief Executive of Ranok Publishing, stated that Russia is deliberately attempting to erase Ukrainian culture and believes books are more dangerous than military equipment. The Ministry of Culture of Ukraine estimates the total cost to the book industry at nearly $40 million. The loss of materials has created immediate textbook shortages for students in the fourth and ninth grades.

These strikes are part of a wider Russian campaign against consumer goods warehouses that has killed over 60 workers and destroyed roughly 40 percent of Ukraine's modern warehouse capacity. Following these developments, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development lowered Ukraine's economic growth forecast for the year to 1.5 percent.