Ukrainian Book Institute calls for end to cooperation with Russian publishers and literary agencies

The Ukrainian Book Institute (UBI) has appealed to the international publishing community to support Ukrainian publishers following Russian attacks in July and early August 2026.

Taking into account the Aug. 1 fire at the warehouses of the RNK-Ranok publishing corporation, losses to Ukraine’s book industry amount to about 30% of annual book production, according to the institute.

In its appeal, the UBI called on international partners to cease cooperation with Russian entities, raise awareness about Russian crimes against Ukraine, particularly those targeting its cultural heritage, support Ukrainian publishers, and cooperate with them. The institute also called for donations to medical charities supporting people affected by Russia’s war against Ukraine and to the Ukrainian army.

The Institute said Russian attacks in July caused extensive damage to publishers and printing facilities in Kyiv. About 850,000 books were lost, representing around 5% of annual book production. Damage to the Konvi printing facilities has also caused delays in printing new editions and further financial losses for publishers.

On Aug. 1, Russian forces attacked warehouses belonging to the Ranok publishing group in Kharkiv. Nearly 8 million copies representing 28,800 different titles from Ranok and other Ukrainian publishers were destroyed. The losses also included about 600,000 school textbooks that were being prepared for shipment to schools. The total damage was preliminarily estimated at nearly UAH 1 billion.

The publishing group includes Readberry, Zhorzh, Fabula, One More Page, Varvar Publishing, Osnova, Svoe, Korali Books, Kenguru, 4mamas, and the Knyholand bookstore chain.

The Konvi Group, one of Ukraine’s largest printing companies and a major producer of school textbooks, reported the loss of approximately 600,000 books. These included 250,000 school textbooks and 350,000 books from such publishers as Ranok, Hramota, Litera LTD, Lingvist, Knyholav, Laboratoriia, ArtBooks, ASSA, Kalamar, Atena, Aston, BookChef, MISON, Vyshcha Shkola, Medytsyna, Apriori, Urbino, and others.

Knyholav reported losing nearly 250,000 books. MISON Publishing said the office where its editorial team worked was completely destroyed by fire during an attack, resulting in the loss of around 200 book titles. Ark.UA also reported damage to its office.

BookChef reported losing approximately 800,000 books in another Russian attack on July 2.

The UBI stressed that the destruction of textbooks posed a particular risk to the educational process ahead of Sept. 1. The institute said the Ukrainian government was preparing measures to restore damaged infrastructure, but publishers would largely depend on support from the book community and donations when it came to compensation for destroyed books and other products.

The institute also urged the international publishing community to stop working with Russian publishers and literary agencies.

“Any form of collaboration with Russian publishers or literary agencies is a weapon against Ukrainian lives, culture, and the efforts of hundreds of Ukrainian publishers who, despite ongoing missile attacks, continue their vital work,” the UBI said.

The UBI also published bank details for those wishing to support the affected Ukrainian publishers and printing companies.

Bank details for supporting Ukrainian publishers

Konvi Group

Official statement https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BctB1rekD/,

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1QLiKN5pV5/

Company name: LLC KONVI PLUS
Address: 12 Antona Tsedika St., Kyiv, 01094, Ukraine
Beneficiary IBAN: UA033006580000026002008101558
SWIFT: ICBIUAUKXXX
Bank: PIRAEUS BANK ICB
Bank address: 11 Biloruska St., Kyiv, 04119, Ukraine

Intermediary bank: Deutsche Bank AG, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
SWIFT: DEUTDEFF
Account with intermediary bank: 100949929400

Purpose of payment: Charitable aid for overcoming the consequences of a missile attack on LLC “KONVI PLUS”. Non-refundable financial assistance without commercial purpose.

Knyholav Publishing 

Official statement https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1TH34uMsU3/

Currency: EUR
Company name: КНИГОЛАВ ТОВ
IBAN: UA233052990000026000015006757
Bank: JSC CB “PRIVATBANK”
Bank address: 1D Hrushevskoho St., Kyiv, 01001, Ukraine
SWIFT: PBANUA2X
Company address: 31A European Union Avenue, Kyiv, 04108, Ukraine

Correspondent banks:

Commerzbank AG, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Account: 400886700401
SWIFT: COBADEFF

J.P. Morgan AG, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Account: 6231605145
SWIFT: CHASDEFX

The Bank of New York Mellon, Frankfurt am Main
Account: 5184099710
IBAN: DE39503303005184099710
SWIFT: IRVTDEFX

Citibank Europe PLC
Account: 0042997188
IBAN: IE96CITI99005142997188
SWIFT: CITIIE2X

Purpose of payment: For the purpose of restoring operations following the destruction of property caused by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation.

RNK-Ranok corporation

Company name: Charity Foundation of “Ranok-Ukraine”

Currency: USD
IBAN: UA913052990000026008005933821
Bank: JSC CB “PRIVATBANK”
Bank address: 1D Hrushevskoho St., Kyiv, 01001, Ukraine
SWIFT: PBANUA2X

Currency: EUR
IBAN: UA193052990000026006005910062

Purpose of payment: Charitable donation to support the recovery of Ranok LLC following the missile attack by the Russian Federation.

As reported earlier, Ukrainian publishing and printing companies affected by Russian attacks can access state support programs to restore production facilities. Under the government’s 2026 program, recovery grants can reach UAH 16 million, but cannot exceed the amount of confirmed damage. For recovery projects and printing companies, the state can cover up to 80% of project costs, with the applicant contributing 20%.

The appeal comes amid repeated calls by the Ukrainian Book Institute for the international publishing community to boycott Russian books and support Ukrainian literature abroad. The institute describes promoting such a boycott as part of its international work.

Main image: RNK-Ranok publishing corporation