More than 35 printing plants, publishing facilities and warehouses have reportedly been hit, destroying textbooks meant for Ukrainian schools as the new academic year begins
A series of Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine’s publishing and logistics infrastructure has destroyed around 12 million books, including hundreds of thousands of newly printed school textbooks, Ukrainian industry officials and government representatives told the BBC.
The attacks come as schools across Ukraine prepare to begin a new academic year, raising concerns about shortages of textbooks and other educational material.
More than 35 publishing houses, printing plants and distribution centres have reportedly been damaged or destroyed in recent weeks. The losses amount to nearly a third of Ukraine’s average annual book production.
Printing plants and warehouses hit
One of the biggest losses came after an overnight strike on a major printing facility near Kyiv. The plant had been increasing production to print around 1.3 million textbooks, accounting for roughly 10 per cent of the books required nationwide for the coming school year.
“Nothing is salvageable at the Kyiv printing plant,” Viktoria Haidai, commercial director of publishing company Konvi, told BBC. She said fires and building collapses destroyed printed books as well as stocks of paper and other materials.
Earlier attacks destroyed a major logistics centre operated by Ranok in Kharkiv. Around 8 million books were reportedly lost, including more than 620,000 textbooks that had been prepared for distribution to schools.
Warehouses belonging to major publishers including Vivat, Knyholav and A-BA-BA-HA-LA-MA-HA were also hit in Kyiv and nearby areas.
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The attacks have also affected smaller booksellers. Drone strikes in Kyiv damaged the Pochaina second-hand book market, destroying hundreds of vendor stalls. Historic cultural sites, including parts of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra complex, were also damaged.
Ukraine accuses Russia of targeting culture
Ukrainian officials and cultural figures have accused Russia of deliberately targeting the country’s publishing industry and cultural institutions as part of a broader attempt to undermine Ukrainian identity and language.
“I believe it is deliberate on the part of the Russian Federation,” Haidai said. “The Russians are targeting printing houses and warehouses in an attempt to erase Ukraine as a nation.”
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also accused Moscow of targeting Ukrainian literature and educational material. He said attacks on textbooks shortly before the academic year were particularly damaging because they disrupt the lives of millions of children.
Russia has denied deliberately targeting civilian, cultural or educational facilities. Moscow has said its strikes are aimed at military infrastructure and energy facilities linked to Ukraine’s war effort.
Schools turn to digital learning
The destruction has left publishers and schools racing to find alternatives before classes resume.
Publishers estimate that rebuilding damaged printing facilities and replacing lost stocks could take three to five years. The damage could therefore affect Ukraine’s publishing industry well beyond the immediate shortage of textbooks.
Schools are expected to rely more heavily on digital textbooks, downloadable PDFs and online learning material as supplies of printed books run short.