{
  "id": 3503346,
  "title": "Russia’s national library has a ‘closed repository of destructive literature.’ It includes Stephen Hawking and a Churchill biography — and is decorated with Ukrainian dog tags and a Putin quote.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/russias-national-library-has-a-closed-repository-of-destructive",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T12:11:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Meduza (English)",
    "slug": "meduza-english",
    "url": "https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/08/26/russia-s-national-library-has-a-closed-repository-of-destructive-literature-it-includes-stephen-hawking-and-a-churchill-biography-and-is-decorated-with-ukrainian-dog-tags-and-a-putin-quote"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Russian State Library, also known as the Lenin Library, has been hosting a \"closed repository for destructive literature\" for several months. Access to this repository is restricted to intelligence service employees and scholars who must pass a separate interview to gain entry. The library's storage facility is divided into five sections, each focusing on a different aspect of what the library deems \"destructive literature.\" Among the Ukrainian-language books displayed are works by Stephen Hawking and Martin Gilbert, both freely sold in Russian translation in Russia. The repository is also adorned with a quote from Russian President Vladimir Putin and another from Investigative Committee head Alexander Bastrykin, both critical of Ukraine's treatment of its history and its schools. The library's decor includes a Korsar MZ bulletproof vest and dog tags from Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers.",
  "summary": "The Russian State Library (RSL, also known as the Lenin Library) has for several months been running a “closed repository for destructive literature.” Only intelligence service employees and scholars can get in. Scholars, however, have to pass a separate interview with the RSL to gain access. Kommersant toured the storage facility. Here’s what stood out.",
  "key_points": [
    "Russian State Library hosts closed repository of destructive literature.",
    "Repository includes works by Stephen Hawking and Martin Gilbert.",
    "Decor features Ukrainian dog tags and Putin quote."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}