Russian drone strike destroys Ukrainian bookstore warehouse causing over $500k in losses
A Russian drone struck a book warehouse in Kyiv Oblast on August 28, destroying inventory of multiple Ukrainian publishers and bookstores and causing damages estimated at over 23 million hryvnias (more than $517,000), according to Readeat founder Dmytro Felixov.
On August 28, a Russian drone attack devastated a book warehouse in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine, causing extensive damage estimated at over 23 million hryvnias, or more than $517,000, according to Readeat founder Dmytro Felixov. The warehouse housed books from numerous Ukrainian publishers and bookstores. Felixov described the strike, saying, "Russia is methodically destroying Ukrainian book publishing and distribution.
An industry that was just a few years ago beginning to rise from its knees is once again being crushed to the ground." This warehouse was situated in Svyatopetrivske, on the outskirts of Kyiv. Readeat temporarily halted online orders for physical books, but readers could still purchase e-books and audiobooks. The team expressed uncertainty about resuming normal operations as they assessed the full impact of the attack.
Book.ua also suffered losses, with a significant portion of its inventory destroyed in the warehouse. The company stated that no employees were injured, but suspended online orders for physical books while evaluating the damage. Other Ukrainian publishing houses, Osnovy and Uroboros, reported the complete loss of their warehouses.
Vivat CEO Yuliya Orlova confirmed her company's facilities were destroyed, and noted that the company had been relocating books to avoid storing them all in one place. However, many new releases and books by Ukrainian authors remained in Kyiv due to preparations for the Book Country festival. Orlova added that they were still calculating losses, as the attack had burned three warehouses worth of books and their partners'.
The Russian strike initially damaged a Nova Poshta warehouse complex and adjacent production facilities in Svyatopetrivske, with two follow-up strikes targeting emergency crews extinguishing the blaze. Local authorities advised residents to keep windows closed and stay indoors due to heavy smoke. Ukraine's State Emergency Service later reported that the fires were contained, with clean-up operations ongoing.
Written by urgent.news from New Voice of Ukraine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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