The Ranok Publishing warehouse in Kharkiv, Ukraine, was struck twice by Russian drones in August, destroying all 8 million books inside, including 620,000 textbooks. Viktor Kruglov, the publishing house’s chief executive, stated that Russia deliberately targets Ukrainian culture, believing books are more dangerous than military equipment. The Ukrainian Publishing Association estimates that Russian shelling has destroyed up to 15 million new books in recent months, nearly half of Ukraine’s annual production.

The Ukrainian Culture Ministry reports the attacks have cost the book industry almost $40 million. These strikes are part of an escalating air war targeting warehouses storing consumer goods, including food, clothing, and pharmaceuticals. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has lowered Ukraine’s economic growth forecast to 1.5 percent.

The attacks have destroyed about 40 percent of Ukraine’s modern warehouse capacity, forcing publishers to relocate to western Ukraine. Books are seen as central to Ukrainian identity and independence from Russia.