Nearly 10 million Ukrainian books destroyed in Russian strikes, labeled 'cultural genocide'

Kyiv's Petrivka book market, a bustling hub for both new and old literature, was devastated by a Russian missile strike over the weekend. Tens of thousands of books were consumed by flames in the attack on the market, located near the Pochaina metro station.

This incident is part of a larger pattern of destruction, with nearly ten million Ukrainian books reportedly destroyed since the summer began, coinciding with the "warehouse war" – a series of long-range strikes targeting infrastructure far behind the front lines. Ukrainian officials have condemned the destruction of books as a "cultural genocide."

The escalating attacks have led to a sharp increase in civilian casualties. The United Nations reported a significant rise in victims in Ukraine, with July 2026 marking a record high for casualties, including at least 437 civilians killed and 2,610 injured.

The targeting of cultural assets like the Petrivka market underscores a broader strategy of attacks that extend beyond military objectives, aiming to disrupt and damage Ukrainian society and its cultural heritage.