13 Million Books Gone in One Summer as Russian Attacks Devastate Ukraine’s Publishing Industry

Russian attacks on Ukrainian publishing houses destroyed approximately 13 million books during the summer of 2026, Ukraine’s Minister of Culture Tetiana Berezhna said, highlighting the extensive damage inflicted on the country’s publishing industry amid Russia’s full-scale invasion.

According to Ukrinform, Berezhna disclosed the figures during a televised interview, outlining government efforts to support Ukrainian publishers and help the industry recover from Russian strikes.

“At the Ministry of Culture, we are working to develop culture, expand book publishing, and help Ukrainian publishers recover from Russian attacks. Let me remind you that 13 million books were destroyed this summer alone,” Berezhna said.

The minister emphasized that the Ministry of Culture and the Ukrainian government are developing several initiatives aimed at supporting domestic publishing companies and strengthening the sector’s ability to operate during the war.

Among the planned measures is the introduction of a dedicated book publishing component within President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s “Tysiachovesna”  initiative, which is expected to launch next year.

Berezhna confirmed that publishing projects would become eligible for support under the program, although the government has yet to determine which types of projects will qualify for the competition.

She explained that the initiative is intended not only to help publishers produce new books but also to strengthen the industry’s long-term resilience amid continued Russian attacks.

“It is very important for us to structure this support in a way that helps create and publish books while strengthening the industry's capacity to operate during wartime,” Berezhna said.

Among the projects being considered are translations of Ukrainian literary classics and major publications focusing on Ukrainian art, history, and culture.

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Life in Ukraine

Russian Strikes Wipe Out Nearly 10 Million Books Since May—Equal to 74% of Ukraine's 2026 Book Output

Aug 04, 2026 13:57

The consequences of Russian attacks on Ukraine’s publishing industry have also been highlighted internationally, with damaged Ukrainian books becoming part of an art installation presented at the 2026 Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany.

The installation, titled Born/Burn Alive, features 22 books recovered from the Ranok publishing house’s automated logistics center in Kharkiv after it was struck by Russian forces on August 1.

Created by Ukrainian artist Valentyna Veremko, the artwork was displayed at Ukraine’s National Stand during the Frankfurt Book Fair, held from October 7 to 11, drawing attention to the destruction of Ukrainian books and publishing infrastructure during Russia’s war against Ukraine.

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