A Russian overnight attack on Kyiv on July 2 destroyed approximately 800,000 books and killed at least 30 people, according to Ukrainian authorities. The Kremlin launched 74 missiles and 496 long-range drones against the Ukrainian capital, causing widespread destruction.
Warehouse Completely Destroyed
The books were stored in the central warehouse of Denka Logistics, the logistics partner of BookChef, one of Ukraine's largest publishing houses. The warehouse was completely destroyed in the attack. No casualties were reported among warehouse employees, the company confirmed.
BookChef, which specializes in self-development, motivational literature, young adult fiction, and fantasy, said in a Facebook statement: "Most of our print stock – approximately 800,000 books – has been lost. These are books that authors, translators, editors, illustrators, designers, printers, managers and logistics teams have worked on. They represent years of work by a great many people."
Company Vows to Continue
Despite the devastating loss, BookChef pledged to carry on. "Most importantly: all of our people are safe. That is what we are holding on to right now," the company wrote. "Despite everything, we are carrying on. We know how difficult this night has been FOR EVERYONE. And that is exactly why we will continue to do what we do: publish new books, invest in the development of Ukrainian publishing, and support the economy."
The company urged supporters to buy books from its online shop, which remains fully operational, stating that "every order is a real contribution towards restoring our print runs and ensuring that Ukrainian books continue to be published, no matter what."
Previous Setback in Kharkiv
Ukraine's publishing industry had previously overcome a major setback in 2024 when a Russian attack on Kharkiv destroyed over 50,000 books at the Faktor Druk printing house, according to the Kyiv Independent. Kharkiv is where nearly 80% of books in Ukraine are published. The latest attack underscores the ongoing toll of Russia's war on Ukraine's cultural and economic infrastructure.
