PEN Ukraine calls on world to support Ukrainian publishers after Russian strikes

Daria Lobanok - 1 September, 17:12

Another destroyed warehouse containing books. Photo: Readeat on Facebook

The Ukrainian PEN, a cultural and human rights organisation, has called on the Ukrainian state and the international community to support Ukraine's publishing industry, strengthen military, financial and humanitarian assistance, and urged Ukrainians to buy Ukrainian books.

Source: PEN Ukraine

Details: The authors of the appeal refer to the Russian attack on the night of 27-28 August, when Ukrainian publishers once again suffered major losses.

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture, Russia has already destroyed more than 10 million Ukrainian books over the summer of 2026. This amounts to one-third of Ukraine's annual book production. They include works by Ukrainian authors, as well as books translated into Ukrainian from dozens of foreign languages.

"Books shape our values, our ways of thinking, our cultural memory, our identity, and our sense of community. They are also a foundation of national education – and the new school year in Ukraine begins in just a few days," the statement says.

The community therefore called on the Ukrainian state to support the publishing industry and urged Ukrainian citizens to buy Ukrainian books more.

PEN also appealed to the international community to provide Ukraine with modern defensive weapons and to make joint efforts to bring representatives of the Russian Federation to criminal justice for committing international crimes.

"We call for more consistent engagement of international partners in providing financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including support for Ukrainian publishers and booksellers," the statement added.

Background:

On 1 August, the warehouses of the Ranok publishing house in Kharkiv were destroyed. As a result, the following publishers were also affected: Readberry, Zhorzh, Fabula, Shche Odna Storinka, Varvar Publishing, Osnova, Svoie, Korali Books, Kenhuru and 4mamas, as well as the KnyhoLand bookshop chain. Nearly 8 million copies of books – 28,800 titles – were destroyed.
As a result of the Russian attack on Kyiv on 16 August, the publishers RM and BookChef at the Pochaina book market were also affected.

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