Russia has destroyed “one third of all the books printed in Ukraine this year.”

On September 25, 2026, The New York Times reported that Russian drones struck a printing press near Kyiv, Ukraine. The plant housed a facility belonging to Ranok Publishing House, one of Ukraine’s largest publishers of children’s books. This attack is part of a broader campaign by Russia to target printing presses and publishing houses across Ukraine over the past month. The goal appears to be the deliberate destruction of Ukrainian culture, particularly literature and educational materials. Russian shelling has reportedly destroyed as many as 15 million new books in recent months, while Ukrainian officials estimate that one third of all books printed in Ukraine in 2026 have been lost. These figures suggest that between a third and a half of Ukraine’s annual book production has been wiped out, raising concerns about the country’s literary future.

The September 25 attack specifically targeted Ranok Publishing House during its busy back-to-school season. Eight million books were destroyed in the warehouse, including 28,000 different titles. Among these were 620,000 textbooks intended for students. Textbooks are essential educational resources that outline the curriculum for schools and provide students with the knowledge and skills required for their studies. The loss of these materials disrupts learning for Ukrainian children and complicates efforts to continue education amid the ongoing conflict. The destruction of textbooks also highlights the broader impact of the attacks on Ukraine’s educational system and future generations.

Beyond textbooks, the attack destroyed a wide range of books, including comic books, international bestsellers, and contemporary Ukrainian fiction. For example, 6,408 copies of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson, 5,807 copies of Culpa Mía by Mercedes Ron, and 6,647 copies of The Last Kids on Earth series by Max Brallier were lost. These books represent popular genres like mystery, romance, and children’s literature. The destruction of such diverse titles underscores the indiscriminate nature of the attacks, which target not only educational materials but also cultural and recreational reading. This loss affects both children and adults, eroding access to literature and storytelling in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Culture estimates the financial damage from the destroyed books to be at least $39.3 million (1.75 billion hryvnias). This figure accounts for the cost of printing, distributing, and replacing the lost books but does not include the intangible cultural harm. The destruction of books is seen as an attack on Ukrainian identity and autonomy, with Victor Kruglov, Ranok’s chief executive, stating that Russia views books as more dangerous than military equipment. Kruglov argues that the campaign aims to erase Ukrainian culture by targeting institutions like publishing houses and the National Academy of Science. The losses extend beyond physical books, threatening the preservation of language, history, and national narratives.

Victor Kruglov explained that the attacks on publishing houses are part of a deliberate strategy by Russia to undermine Ukrainian cultural autonomy. He noted that Russia’s leadership believes books and cultural institutions pose a greater threat to their goals than weapons. By destroying printing presses and publishing houses, Russia seeks to suppress Ukrainian literature, education, and national identity. These actions are part of a broader pattern of cultural erasure, which includes attacks on other cultural institutions. The campaign reflects a long-standing tactic of targeting symbols of national identity during conflicts, aiming to weaken morale and cohesion among the Ukrainian population.