Russian strikes destroy a third of books printed in Ukraine this year
Russian attacks over the past two months have destroyed roughly a third of Ukraine's annual book output, dealing a heavy blow to a publishing industry already weakened by financial strain.
Ukraine's book publishing industry has suffered major losses as Russian strikes in July and August destroyed around 33% of all books printed in the country this year. About 1.5 million copies were destroyed in July, followed by a far larger loss of roughly 10 million copies in August.
The attacks have affected dozens of publishers and bookshops, along with hundreds of schools. Around 9% of newly printed textbooks were burned in the strikes.
An industry already under strain
The destruction comes at a particularly difficult time for Ukraine's publishing sector, which was already grappling with financial pressure and falling demand for books. A number of bookshops across Ukraine were forced to close this year as bookselling became unprofitable. Now Russian strikes are also hitting the warehouses where book stocks are kept.
Industry representatives warn that without government support, the publishing sector risks collapsing entirely. It remains unclear what specific measures authorities intend to take to help publishers and booksellers recover from the damage.
